Kate Lines
Special to the Tribune/Advisor
Thank you to everyone who participated and brought Christmas Cheer to downtown Williams Lake Dec. 2-4 during the Winter Lights Festivities!
Late Night Shopping and Caroling
Angela Sommer’s choir led a group of 45 cheerful community members through the streets of downtown Friday evening for late night shopping and carolling, singing carols to the 15 stores that stayed open to welcome both them and late-night shoppers. The stores gave treats to the carollers and many of the singers enjoyed the experience so much, they asked if they could please do this again next year. Thank you to our participating stores: Lavender Lingerie, Delainey’s Mall, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Mulberry Lane, Just Because, Bloom’n’Gifts, Adventure Games, Kit & Kaboodle, Do More Promotions, Hobbit House, The Realm of Toys, Caribou Ski Source for Sports, BFF and Exotic Aquatic.
We had a wonderful Santa Parade Saturday managed by Events Etc. Citizens on Patrol helped guide the floats, clowns and parade walkers past crowds of onlookers. We’ve estimated about 400 people came out to watch the parade Saturday morning.
Santa and Studio Theatre members entertained the community after the Santa Parade at CJ’s Southwestern Grill, where a brunch buffet was served-up by Christmas creatures with a side of live music and improv entertainment. Thank you to Lake City Furnishings for providing the perfect chair for Santa to sit in as he greeted more than 40 happy families in two fun-filled hours.
Parade winners were:
Youth, school, community
1.) Williams Lake Stampede Association
2.) Cariboo Chilcotin Metis
3.) Eastern Star, Mason’s and Shriners
Commercial float
1.) West Fraser Mills
Walkers
1.) Joan Oliver and Friends
2.) 3064 Army Cadets
3.) United Way
Christmas stories at the library attracted 120 people. Songs, felt stories and puppets delighted families all afternoon. Thank you to the library for providing the space and decorating it so beautifully.
On Sunday, 173 people showed up at the BIA’s Skate and Win to skate for free and win prizes donated by downtown businesses. The skaters were so excited to enter the free draws. In all, 75 people participated in the draw and 10 lucky winners took home gifts. Thank you to the businesses that donated the prizes that created so much good will towards downtown at the Skate and Win event: Kit & Kaboodle, Bloom’n’Gifts, Just Because, Mulberry Lane, Shopper’s Drug Mart, BFF, Satya Yoga, Do More Promotions and the Hobbit House.
The Business Improvement Association, City of Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional District and Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society sponsored the Winter Lights Festival.