With just days to go before Prince William and Kate arrive in Ottawa for Canada Day, the nation's capital is abuzz with activity as musicians, artists, performers, municipal staff and contractors scramble to finish last-minute preparations.
The to-do list covers everything from building stages and setting up projection screens, to performance rehearsals, gardening, cleaning and grass cutting, said Guy LaFlamme, senior vice president with the National Capital Commission.
The entire core of the capital, he told CTV.ca, must be at its best by the end of the week.
"It's a huge responsibility to make sure we present a picture perfect image of the second hometown of all Canadians," LaFlamme told CTV.ca.
When the royal newlyweds and the more than 1,000 members of the media arrive this week -- the streets they will travel on, the gardens they will see, the National War Monument, Rideau Hall and Parliament Hill must be at their absolute best, LaFlamme said.
"The core of the capital becomes a huge two-square kilometre stage on July 1st," he said.
"So everywhere from Jacques Cartier Park on the Gatineau side, the entire length of Confederation Boulevard, the ceremonial route along which the royal couple will be coming from Rideau Hall to Parliament Hill ... Our crews will be working around the clock to get it ready."
LaFlamme's main focus, however, will be on the two massive Canada Day shows that will take place at noon and 9 p.m. ET on Friday.
Dozens of performers, ranging from singers and poets to drummers, percussionists, dancers and acrobats, will take the stage.
Traditional Inuit artists, native musicians, even a group of musicians who combine Celtic and traditional Indian music, will also perform.
LaFlamme pledged it will be "the best show we've ever had on Parliament Hill."
Friday's roster of performers ranges from Great Big Sea to Sam Roberts, Jenn Grant, Delhi 2 Dublin, country troubadour Corb Lund and a cappella African group Soul Influence.
LaFlamme, who has been busy approving final rehearsals, said the event will showcase Canadian talent from all regions, genres and cultural groups.
"It's not just a stage where touring artists would present an excerpt of the show that they have on the road across North America," he said.
"We wanted to create a show that is only possible on July 1, that is only possible in the nation's capital in terms of the unique collaboration, in terms of the unique messaging and artistic concept that we've developed."
LaFlamme said he tasked his staff with the goal of ensuring that spectators are moved by the performances.
"We want people to cry, to laugh, but overall to be moved and to realize the uniqueness we share... that's what we want to achieve," he said.
Intense, detailed planning has also gone into the post-celebration effort. With tens of thousands of people expected to descend on the capital, an army of staff will be ready to hit Ottawa's streets and parks through the early morning hours of July 2 to clean up the city.
"The most amazing thing is that at 7 o'clock in the morning on July 2, there will be no waste in sight. The whole core will be back to impeccable, whistle-clean status."
LaFlamme suggested the Duke and Duchess' view as they leave the city on Saturday will be as spotless as when they arrived.
