By Dan Walton

Pioneer Staff

Last month, the Invermere community worked together to win an online contest and attract TSN to town through the Kraft Celebration Tour. The victory secured a $25,000 donation towards the Rotary Clubs Splash and Spray Park. It also means that on Monday, August 19th, an hour-long TSN broadcast will take place live from the Kinsmen Beach, featuring Darren Dutchyshen and Jennifer Hedger, plus a day at the beach loaded with fun for the whole community.

On the 19th, coast-to-coast Invermere goes across the country, Sportscentre co-host Darren Dutchyshen told The Pioneer. Its no longer just a town in B.C., everybodys going to see Invermere on that day.

Online support for Invermeres Splash Park crushed that for Pembertons BMX park, with 223,430 votes for Invermere compared to only 104,191 for Pemberton.

When we get (to B.C.), I cant stop staring at the mountains, its so aesthetically beautiful, Mr. Dutchyshen said. Thats no disrespect to the other provinces we visit, it really is the prettiest place we go to.

After working with TSN for more than 18 years as an anchor in downtown Toronto, Mr. Dutchyshen enjoys travelling to smaller areas of Canada to perform.

Its nice to get out of the studio and its a really fun day, he said. The whole town gets to come out and watch the show its a chance for Invermere to pat itself on its back, and they should, theyve done a wonderful job.

However, he said, the outdoor broadcasts create some logistical challenges. Were at technologys mercy a little more, as opposed to the controlled environment we have at TSN, but that makes it better in a way.

The broadcast will also include pre-produced features focussing on Invermere the communitys history, its economy, where its situated geographically, and a closeup look at an interesting local.

The stories are really good, warm stories, Mr. Dutchyshen said, adding that he and fellow anchor Jennifer Hedger will be checking for Twitter updates that include #KCT and responding accordingly.

Ask questions we can answer them the day of. However interactive they want to get, well try to accommodate them in every capacity, he said.

The broadcast will begin at 4 p.m. MST to match the 6 p.m. Eastern broadcast schedule and last for an hour. Festivities will begin earlier at Kinsmen Beach at 2 p.m., with loads of excitement and free goodies, including a Tassimo coffee maker giveaway. An autograph session with Darren and Jennifer will take place after the broadcast.

This summers tour is the fifth year that the Kraft Celebration Tour has been taking place with TSN, with $25,000 donations made ten times on each tour. The overall $1,000,000 milestone was just reached at the end of last years tour.

The Kraft Celebration Tour celebrates the amazing projects that bring Canadians together to create something new or make something better in their communities, according to a Kraft press release.

To stand out among the crowd and possibly spot yourself on TV, Mondays participants are encouraged to create and wave large signs from the audience, creatively demonstrating their support for Invermere, TSN, and Kraft.

Whatever they want to bring would be greatly appreciated, as long as theyre tasteful, Mr. Dutchysen said.