While there is no snow on the ground yet Williams Lake Downtown BIA is preparing for its annual Winter Lights Festival Saturday, Dec. 2.
Events coordinator Amanda Fuller said the theme this year is a Cariboo Christmas.
The annual window decorating contest is underway with judging slated to begin Monday, Nov. 27 through Dec. 1.
“During that week we will have a find the fox contest,” said Fuller.
Each day she will hide a fox in one of the decorated windows, share a clue and the public is encouraged to find the fox and take a selfie with it.
Winners of the window contest will be announced the day of the Winter Lights Festival.
This year’s parade will begin at 5 p.m., departing from behind the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex down Seventh Avenue to Oliver Street and down Oliver Street to First Avenue.
Anyone wanting to participate is asked to call Fuller at 250-398-5717, email her events@downtownwilliamslake.ca or check out the website.
Planning for colder weather, the festival will take place inside the Limelight Arts and Entertainment Theatre after the parade.
Inside there will be the light up of a tree. Cookie decorating is being organized by the Williams Lake and District Credit Union.
Fuller is making a giant mailbox for letters to Santa. Children and adults if they want, will have an opportunity to write a letter to Santa.
The letters will be delivered to Canada Post afterwards by Fuller.
BIA executive director Sherry Yonkman and Fuller will also have an ornament decorating station and there will be warm drinks and refreshments.
When asked about the Cariboo Christmas theme and what it means to Fuller she said lots of people had been asking her that.
Growing up in Horsefly on a ranch, her papa raised Percherons.
He would hook them up to a sled and they would ride through the fields, she said.
“In the Cariboo Christmas means lots of different things. We have a strong forest industry, a strong mining industry and a rich Indigenous culture. I am hoping those are a reflected in what people come up with to celebrate Winter Lights.”
Fuller said they are grateful for financial support from the Williams Lake and District Credit Union and the city of Williams Lake.
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