For many, J in J is a familiar part of life, kept fresh by an ever-changing lineup of activities.
This year the festival will run from Jan. 17 until Feb. 2, and nearly every one of the 17 days boasts some kind of event. Listed here are a few of the new and old highlights gracing the line-up this year.
Fire in the Sky鈥攁stronomy on the island
A brand new offering this year, Fire in the Sky will be a chance to experience the stars from beneath Jasper鈥檚 dark skies. Parks interpreters will descend on Pyramid Island Feb. 1, lending their expertise to stargazers from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Brian Catto of Parks Canada will be on the island, telescopes at the ready (weather permitting), pointing out the wonders of the night sky to anyone interested.
鈥淥ur own little mini star party,鈥� he calls it.
Along with the chance to learn about the stars, the event will also feature a 鈥渧ery cool鈥� Parks presentation on nocturnal animals, as well as First Nation鈥檚 drumming and aboriginal constellation storytelling around the fire.
Catto encourages people to bring a mug to take advantage of the free hot chocolate, and a flashlight to help navigate the island.
Chili Cook-Off
An event older than Jasper in January itself, the chili cook-off pits teams against one another in a competition to create the best chili, while everyone who attends reaps the rewards.
Alan Wilson, Mountain Park Lodges鈥� food and beverage manager, said this year he expects about 16 teams to sign up to compete for the glory of being chili champions.
Wilson says each year brings bizarre new chili recipes, and even more bizarre team costumes: everything from Flintstones to aliens to Mardi Gras themed booths.
鈥淵ou name it, we鈥檝e probably had it,鈥� he says.
Prizes are given out for best chili, best booth and the people鈥檚 choice award. Once that鈥檚 finished, Wilson says people are welcome to enjoy the cash bar and live DJ.
The cook-off takes place Jan. 24 at the Jasper Activity Centre.
ATCO Street Party and fireworks
A fairly new addition to Jasper in January, the ATCO Street Party has quickly become a festival favourite. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Jan. 25, a section of Patricia Street will close to traffic and transform into a winter party, featuring food vendors, roving street performers and flashlight art.
Katie Worobec of Tourism Jasper said this year the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce will once again be hosting its ice bar, and showing a presentation of vintage ski footage, projected on the side of the Robson House.
As well, Marmot Basin will be putting on a 鈥渓earn to ski鈥� demo on the Visitor Information Centre lawn, and the Hockey for Hope tournament will be in full swing.
At 9:30 p.m. the party will go out with a bang with a winter fireworks show.
Robbie Burns Night
Experience the eerie whine of bagpipes, watch the haggis procession, take a shot of scotch and then dig into some cockeleekie soup, neeps and taddies.
Don鈥檛 forget to try the haggis, which comes in fresh from Edmonton and never lasts the night. Then finish the whole thing off with a fried Mars bar, as you listen to some of Burns鈥� poetry.
Arts Jasper will host Robbie Burns night Jan. 18 at the Jasper Legion. The Scottish tradition honours poet Robbie Burns with a traditional Scottish meal, along with plenty of great scotch.
Kim Stark, of Arts Jasper, says the group has tried to turn the celebration into a cultural event, featuring music, tributes to Robbie Burns, and even some readings of his poetry.
This year, she also amped up the event with the addition of some east coast music to end the dinner with a bang. Serenading the crowd will be Celtic musician Billy Wiseman.
Winter Adventure Awareness Night
This first-time Jasper in January event will be hosted by Parks Canada on Jan. 22, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Jasper Legion.
Anyone who鈥檚 been to an avalanche awareness night will recognize the format of this event, which Parks Canada representative Kevin Gedling says will be like an upgraded version.
Gedling says the idea behind the event is twofold. The first is to key people into the new winter recreation destinations Jasper is offering this year, while the second is to show them how to enjoy them safely.
The atmosphere will be relaxed, and Gedling says the Canadian Avalanche Association is providing some sweet swag.
鈥淲e will have [prizes], and they will be great,鈥� he said.
