A total of 15 downtown businesses will be giving out treats for people who come a mummering, with Christmas songs to their businesses Friday evening.
Mummering is reported to have begun in medieval times when groups of people went door to door to entertain their neighbours at Christmas time, often dressed in costume.
Mummering for treats at downtown Williams Lake this evening is all part of the Winter Lights Festival which begins at the corner of Third Ave. and Oliver Street with Angela Sommer and her choir leading in the singing of Christmas carols starting at 6 p.m.
“Everyone is welcome to join the choir and to sing for half an hour together,” says the BIA’s Kate Lines. At about 6:30 p.m. she says groups of singers can break off into smaller groups and carry on singing carols at participating businesses, receiving treats for their efforts.
“We invite all singing groups, musicians, minstrels, poets, hummers and mummers, and the community at large, to come out and fill the night air with music” adds Lines. “The more the merrier!”
The Lions Club will have their hot dogs and hot chocolate truck set up at the corner of Third and Oliver where maps showing the participating businesses will also be available.
A total of 15 businesses will be providing treats for mummers during late night shopping from 6 to 9 p.m. this evening, Lines says.
Participating business include Lavender Lingerie, Delainey’s Mall, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Mulberry Lane, Just Because, Bloom N Gifts (until 7 p.m.), Adventure Games, Kit & Kaboodle, Do More Promotions, Hobbit House, The Realm of Toys, Caribou Ski Source for Sports, Linens & Gifts, BFF, and Exotic Aquatic.
Winter Lights Festival activities continue Saturday morning with the Santa Parade which starts at 11 a.m. Santa will be riding in a horse-drawn carriage that will be surrounded by lots of elves and Christmas characters.
The parade will muster in the back parking lot of the Cariboo Memorial Complex and proceed west along Borland Street to Third Ave. then down to Oliver Street turning right and running along Oliver Street to First Ave.
The Lions Club will again have hot dogs and hot chocolate available all day at the corner of Oliver Street and Third Avenue for the day.
After the parade from noon to 2 p.m. Santa and his elves will be entertaining children and families at CJ’s Restaurant with storytelling, singing and skits.
Over at the Williams Lake Library there will be more Christmas stories told, Lines says. Stories will be read every half hour for 15 minutes between noon and 4 p.m.
Families will find Christmas books on display to read together between story times,” Lines says.
Saturday families can also visit the Potato House for photos with Santa and hot apple cider by donation between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Realm of Toys will be providing an opportunity for people to make their very own hot chocolate bag. “The perfect stocking suffer!” Lines says.
“All the while Midday Madness will be exploding throughout downtown’s participating stores and gleeful shoppers can pick up Christmas gifts for awe-inspiring savings,” Lines says.
The festival wraps up on Sunday with downtown businesses providing free skating at the Cariboo Memorial Complex from 1 to 4:15 p.m.
During the skate people can enter draws for prizes that will be on display.
“What could be more lovely than skating with your friends and family and winning a few prizes donated by downtown businesses?” Lines asks. “The Sunday skate is a chance for downtown to give back and celebrate our wonderful community. Everyone downtown wants to thank our local and extended communities for their patronage and support year round.”
***
Saturday, Dec. 3
Tribune Food and Toy Drive for Salvation Army
The Tribune’s annual Food and Toy Drive takes place Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. until noon. Bring a new toy or non-perishable food item to the Williams Lake Tribune at 188 North First Ave. and receive a prize envelope.
All donations go to the Salvation Army to assist children and families in need this Christmas season.
***
Saturday, Dec. 3
Museum tea and bake sale
The Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin will host its annual Christmas Tea and Bake Sale on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Entry is by donation to help support the museum.
***
Sunday, Dec. 4
Legion hosts Breakfast with Santa
The community is invited to a special Breakfast With Santa on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 8:30 a.m. until noon in the upstairs hall at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 at the corner of Fourth Ave. and Barnard Street.
Santa will arrive at 10 a.m.
Non-members are welcome. There will be goodie bags for the children and photos with Santa will be available.
The breakfast includes bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and pancakes, coffee, tea and juice. A small plate is $5 a regular plate is $8.
The event is presented by the Rocky Mountain Rangers Army Cadets and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 Ladies Auxiliary.