100 Mile House is the place to be on Friday (Nov. 20) because it marks our community’s official kickoff to the Christmas Season.
Moms and dads will be happy to know Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making a special visit to our hometown.
He will be appear in the annual Santa Claus Parade, which will make its way down Birch Avenue, starting at 6 p.m.
The parade almost didn’t happen this year, but two local women weren’t about to let that happen and they took up their reins and organized the event. They also made sure Santa Claus and his good wife would attend.
After the parade, folks will have time to make their way up to the 100 Mile District General Hospital at 555 Cedar Ave. to experience Starry Nights, which is the South Cariboo Health Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
The event starts at 6:25 p.m., and at 7 p.m., the lights will be flipped on for a fabulous display that will illuminate our local hospital until the new year.
Santa Claus, The Grinch and his special helper will be making an appearance, too.
Prior to and following the Santa Claus Parade, downtown and Cariboo Mall merchants are presenting Moonlight Madness.
The merchants will put on a variety of sales, and many will offer fun games so customers have an opportunity to receive extra savings at the till.
The merchants will also have extended store hours, so it will be a perfect time to do some Christmas gift shopping.
Christmas is a make-it-or-break-it time for our local merchants who keep our downtown core alive and viable throughout the year.
These merchants are our friends and neighbours, and they support the community as volunteers and through donations for the numerous fundraising campaigns of our area groups and organizations.
These people deserve our support, so please shop locally this year.
Speaking of shopping, there are a couple of other shopping venues in the downtown core that will be open during Moonlight Madness and a couple of days after Friday night’s extravaganza.
The 38th Annual Winter Arts and Crafts Fair will be going on in the 100 Mile Community Hall and it will feature handmade gifts produced by some of British Columbia’s finest artists and artisans, including those who live in our area. It will also provide an opportunity for pictures with Santa.
The Ten Thousand Village Fair Trade Sale is being held downtown and it features unique gifts made by artisans from some of the poorest countries in the world.
So, let’s all meet downtown on Friday night and spread some Christmas cheer!
