Brendan Cooke and Brandon Darrah arrive early, look around, take a seat and are handed a large Le Dame shoebox by a smiling woman.
Inside each box are very large high-heeled shoes - red for Cooke, black for Darrah - and the men grimace as they try them on, stand up and attempt to maintain balance.
No, this isn't a new fashion trend - in fact, the men are giving it their all to help women in need.
The Howe Sound Women's Centre presented Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Saturday (Aug. 14), inviting local men to take pledges in the weeks leading up to the big event - donning high heeled shoes and parading around the downtown with placards highlighting the need to raise awareness for women's issues such as sexual assault and gender violence.
Approximately 30 men sauntered from the centre on Third Avenue through downtown 麻豆社国产for one simple reason.
"It's for a good cause," said Darrah.
Darrah and Cooke were both members of the Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Co.'s team, which had the day's largest contingent, boasting eight staff members adorning high heels.
Although the event highlights difficult issues, tensions were eased as jokes were flying fast and furious - especially among participants.
"These calves were meant for walking, I've waited all my life for this moment," Cooke joked after taking his first steps to head outside to the street. "I feel taller and more liberated now."
But it didn't take long for the men to understand why they have to wear high heels to learn that in many ways, men and women live by different standards.
Darrah said he felt restricted by his newfound shoes.
"It's really quite awkward," he said, while taking careful steps to join Cooke outside.
About 30 minutes after trying the shoes on, Darrah and Cooke volunteered to hold the main banner and follow bagpipe player Dax Braby at the head of the parade.
As they made the first turn onto Victoria Street, Darrah was already feeling the impact.
"It's really quite painful," he said.
Cooke, on the other hand, seemed to handle it well.
"So far, so good," he said.
Aside from the Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Co. team, a number of other businesses were well represented in the march. London Drugs, Rona and Nester's Market all put together teams. There were also a number of individual marchers who took part.
The Women's Centre executive director Sheila Allen called the event a success, even though the $1,880 raised was well short of its initial target of $8,382.
Allen said the group spent close to $3,300 this year on a one-time-only purchase of the specially-sized shoes men have to wear. The shoes will be saved and used for future editions of the run.
And the shoes will also be used during the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes in Whistler Saturday (Aug. 21). However the number of volunteer men in the resort municipality fell quite a bit short of those in Squamish. Interested participants can contact Allen at the centre at 604-892-5748.
Those still wishing to donate to the cause online can do so at www.canadahelps.org.
