White Christmas will come to life on Friday, December 8, when City of Powell River celebrates it first annual Christmas Light-Up event at Powell River Recreation Complex.
Proposed by city council as a social event leading up to the holidays that engages with and shows the council’s appreciation for the community, the light-up will also launch the Winter Wonderland skate with free admission that night.
“Winter Wonderland is a really popular event here at the complex so we thought it would be fun to do a big opening hurrah for it and light up the front entrance of the complex,” says community recreation program coordinator Alexander Craig. “People can gather around at a festive environment, take pictures and enjoy each other’s company. We want to make the complex a place where people can really interact with each other and celebrate together.”
In addition to the complex’s array of lights and trees, the event will also feature free hot drinks and snacks, an appearance by Ryder Spick’s Christmas truck, carollers, a photo booth and Santa Claus himself. Festivities begin at 6 pm outside the complex’s lower entrance with the official light-up at 6:30 pm, followed by the free skate from 7-9 pm.
“People really love the atmosphere at the Winter Wonderland skate,” says Craig. “We bring in a lot of trees and decorate the skating rink so it feels like you are in an outdoor environment.”
Leading up to the Christmas Light-Up, the complex is holding a 12 Days of Christmas Scavenger Hunt where Norman the Gnome will be hidden in different parts of the complex and around town. Each day until December 8, those who find the gnome can bring him into the complex to claim their prize. All 12 daily winners will be eligible to win a grand prize the night of the light up.
Craig says the complex staff members are excited to join residents in witnessing the moment when all of the lights go on and White Christmas comes to life.
“We’re pretty excited,” he says. “We’re in the middle of making some big candy-cane light posts and, because we’re going with that White Christmas theme, having that simple look will be really beautiful.”
City of Powell River Christmas Light-Up
When: 6 pm, Friday, December 8
Where: Powell River Recreation Complex lower entrance
Price: Free
Info: 604.485.2891, facebook.com/powellriverreccomplex
