Whistler plans to party hard for the 2010 Winter games. An if the price tag of $18.5 million is any indication it should be quite the party!

As acting mayor Ralph Forsyth notes... "We are known as happy people who like to have a good time, and we are inviting the world here to proudly show them how we do it here in Whistler."

The multimillion-dollar price tag for the party is part of the Live Site program.

"I think it is absolutely worth the investment," noted Forsyth. Whistler is the first mountain host of a winter Olympics to be allowed to hand out medals. The resort is creating a medals plaza near the centre of town, and the Village will be a hub for the Live Site celebrations.

Vancouver will have two distinct Live Sites but Whistler is planning on turning the whole village into a Live Site. There will be six main gathering areas in the Resort hosting a total of 25,000 people.

Events and businesses will be 24 hours a day to allow all Olympic followers to celebrate on their own schedule. "Every day will be like Christmas and every night will be like New Year's Eve," said Forsyth.

Funding will come from a government grant, the Vancouver organizing committee and the Resort.

Fireworks anyone?