Jasperites marched in the second annual PJ Day parade Feb. 29, weaving their way through town while sporting their favourite onesies, housecoats, flannel pants and slippers鈥攁ll in the name of awareness.
PJ Day started in 2012. It's a day to raise awareness of autoimmune diseases, of which there are more than 150, ranging from multiple sclerosis to lupus, Crohn鈥檚, rheumatoid arthritis and hyperthyroidism, just to name a few.
In 2012, there were just a few events: a PJ fashion show, a PJ run and a PJ ski. But, five years later鈥攋ust as awareness has grown鈥攖he event has grown and for the first time, it is no longer confined to one day, it is now a month-long awareness campaign, with events taking place throughout March.
Next up is PJ yoga at River Stone Yoga Studio March 7 at 6:30 p.m, with all donations going toward Find The Common Thread鈥攁 foundation Marta Rode created to help find the thread that links all 150 autoimmune diseases, in hopes that one day doctors will be able to treat the diseases, instead of the symptoms.
In mid-March the marquee event of this year's PJ Day activities will be held: The Inner Healing Mountain Weekend at the Chateau Jasper. The weekend, which is open to a maximum of 50 participants, will include a day and a half of classes exploring healing methods that compliment Western medicine and can help people move toward healing.
On March 18, the focus will turn to art, as the Jasper Artist Guild presents The Healing Nature of Art Exhibit with wine and appetizers from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The exhibit will showcase art that heals or that was instrumental in the healing process. The show will be on display at the Hangout Gallery, located at 622 B Connaught Dr. Everyone is encouraged to wear their wildest pyjamas.
Then for a change of pace, on March 20, Marmot Basin will host a PJ group ski in hopes of breaking the world record for the largest group ski鈥攃urrently the record is 300鈥攁s well as the largest group ski in PJs鈥攆or which there is currently no record.
The final event of the month will be the Onesie Party at the Jasper Legion, where there will be live music, appetizers, drinks and prizes for the best onesie of the evening.
To learn more about the events, check out or to propose an event, contact Rode at [email protected].
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
