Many Powell Riverites flocked by night to take in the spectacle of a Christmas-themed truck parked at Willingdon Beach last weekend.
The nearly 18 metre-long truck, complete with more than 30,000 lights and playing Christmas music, is the work of Ryder Spick of local construction company Spick and Sons Projects.
After driving his Christmas truck through various Powell River area neighbourhoods during the evenings, Ryder decided to bring the vehicle to Willingdon Beach so more people might be able to take in its lights and sounds.
“This is really Ryder’s thing,” said his father John Spick. “It really is his passion; he loves to see the faces of the kids all lit up when they see the truck.”
One of those illuminated faces belonged to Brielle Deneef. At two years old, she made the trip to Willingdon Beach from Townsite with her mother Amanda Whitmore.
“The truck drove down Oak Street last week and she yelled out, ‘Big truck with lights’ when she saw it,” said Whitmore. “I knew I’d have to take her down to see it and she has been dancing since we got here.”
Bopping along to the beat of Christmas tunes and her favourite songs from Disney’s Frozen, Brielle is Ryder’s target audience. Whitmore said she enjoyed seeing the lights through Brielle’s eyes.
“She loves it. I’ve tried to get us home twice now and she is not having it,” she said. “I can’t believe the time and effort he’s put into this.”
This is the fourth year Ryder has shared his lighted truck with Powell River residents. He said he started the tradition in order to participate in lighted truck parades on the island, and then brought the vehicle home to showcase it independently.
“I would like to be in Powell River’s Santa Claus Parade,” said Ryder, “but it’s during the day so it’s not the best way to take in the lights.”
Donations were accepted at the event with all proceeds going towards Friends of Powell River, a network supporting children in the Powell River area.
“There’s labour and money that go into the lights, for sure,” said Ryder, “but it’s all worth it.”
For updates on the location of the Christmas truck, go to facebook.com/RydersChristmasTruck.
