Road to the Olympics

Snow geese feed in a field in the edelweiss-like setting of Fir-Conway Lutheran Church and Mount Baker. Commuters to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. will be driving by this week for the game’s opening ceremony Friday. PHOTO BY JACK MEYERS The 2010 Winter Olympic Games begin in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday, and have the potential to bring increased traffic through the Stanwood- Camano area.

Stanwood Chamber of Commerce’s president, Mike Gibson, said he’s “absolutely” expecting increased traffic, and that “the main focus of the chamber for the month of February is bringing people off the freeway and into town.”

He said Amtrak should also bring traffic through, especially now that they’ve added a second run to Vancouver.

To attract people, the chamber is stringing banners and setting up an information booth at the Shell station near exit 212, which will be jointly staffed by folks from the Camano Island Chamber of Commerce.

The Snow Goose Festival and the Great Northwest Glass QUEST dates were also planned to coincide with the Olympics and attract visitors.

Visitors and locals of all ages can join the QUEST Feb. 12-28 for the chance to win a glass “snowball,” handcrafted by Stanwood glass artist Mark Ellinger.

Look for local businesses bearing the “Find the Treasure Here” decals or visit the chambers’ information centers (I-5, Stanwood, or Camano locations) for a map and detailed instructions, then head out in search of over 200 “clueballs” hidden in and around participating businesses and in Heritage Park, Camano Island State Park and Freedom Park. The “clueballs” can be exchanged for one of Ellinger’s creations, marked with a limited edition number and the artist’s initials.

The QUEST’s participating businesses met last week for a “kickoff.”

“Businesses are really coming together for the event,” said Carol Curtis, a volunteer.

Which is good, because trains to Vancouver look like they’ll be busy. According to Amtrak’s ticketing Web site (www.amtrak. com), some runs are already sold out.

Although people are more than welcome to drive over the border for the games, there won’t be public parking at any of the events or venues. The city of Vancouver is encouraging people to walk, ride bikes, or ride public transportation. The Olympic Bus Network will be available to take people to Whistler and Cypress Mountain; in fact, it’s the only way to get to Cypress, which isn’t serviced by public transit.

Officials are advising people to arrive in plenty of time to clear security. Gates at city events open two hours early, while gates at the mountain events open three hours early. The opening and closing ceremonies open four hours before start time.

Officials are also encouraging people to pack light when they come to the events. Visitors with small bags (6 inches square by 12 inches long, or about the size of a bread loaf) can use clearly marked express lanes to enter the venues.

All visitors, whether they use the express or standard entrances, will be required to pass through a metal detector.

Visitors from the U.S. to Canada will need a U.S. Passport or other approved identification to travel between the two countries.

Having the Olympic Games so close to home might provide many people with a unique experience, and, the city of Stanwood hopes, a few extra visitors.

For more detailed information, including public transportation, accommodations, ticketing, security, border crossings and approved identification documents, visit http:// www.vancouver2010.com/ olympic-spectator-guide/ travelling-to-canada/entry into-canada.

Staff Reporter Jeremiah O’Hagan: 629-8066 ext. 125 or ohagan@scnews. com.