Pemberton music festival kicks off Friday

More than 40,000 people are expected to pack the village of Pemberton, about a 25-minute drive north of Whistler, B.C., on the weekend for one of North America's biggest music festivals of the summer.

RCMP said on Thursday that officers will be out in full force to ensure concert-goers do not drink and drive.

"We would like to remind them they should use safe transportation methods such as having a designated driver or using the transportation system being provided by event organizers," Const. Dave Babineau said in a release.

"There will be no tolerance for impaired drivers," he said.

Some residents said they're glad the festival will showcase the beauty of Pemberton to people who have never visited the village but others voiced concern about the possibility chaos could come with the festivities.

Live music will be performed from 12 noon to 1 a.m. each day on four different stages on the site.

Pemberton, with a population of about 2,200 and located at the foot of Mount Currie, is one of British Columbia's oldest communities.

The festival runs from Friday through Sunday.