BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Canalside has an Olympic feel to it after being transformed into Championship Village ahead of the World Junior Championships.

For the next two weeks, hockey fans who flood into downtown Buffalo for the championships can listen to live music, enjoy local food or take a ride down a 40-foot-high inflatable slide.

"We wanted it to be a place where people enjoy being around in between games or even during games," said USA Hockey assistant executive director, Mike Bertsch. 

Fans can also take advantage of two interactive slapshot experiences. 

"I love being able to pick something up and do opposed to just coming down and watching the game. You get to actually do stuff before the game," said Buffalo resident, Kevin Brockman. 

The attractions are paired with Canalside's usual slate of winter activities like ice skating. 

"Coming back in the winter and seeing the hockey atmosphere, it's pretty exciting being here," said Bertsch. 

Organizers say it was the effort by the city and the Pegulas to create that hockey atmosphere that made the city the ideal choice to host the event.

"It was a community event and a community atmosphere. They wanted the teams to be a part of it and feel a part of it," said Bertsch. 

The village and its activities are free and will be open at 10 a.m. on weekends and at 11 a.m. on weekdays until the tournament ends January 5th.