The Squamish Christmas Market on Friday, Dec. 6, will have something for virtually everyone, and something especially thrilling for the young winner of a literary art contest taking place in conjunction with the market and the Squamish Santa Parade.
Between now and next Monday (Dec. 2), students in Grades 1 to 7 are invited to submit original artwork or writing to the Literary Art Contest with the theme, "What Christmas means to me."
The winner will be flown along with Santa on a Blackcomb Aviation helicopter from the Squamish Airport to Squamish Terminals, then be driven to the start of the parade route, said Christmas Market organizer Cindy Cardiff.
The market, which takes place from 3 to 9 p.m., will have the look and feel of a traditional European outdoor Christmas market, "but with a West Coast twist," Cardiff said.
More than 50 vendors will be set up in Squamish Junction Park near O'Siyam Pavilion. In addition, there will be carriage and pony rides with Diamond Head Outfitters, an artisan market hosted by Visuals, a winter beer garden hosted by Howe Sound Inn and Brewing and even a chance to make your own reusable plastic bags at a table hosted by Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN).
As well, the O'Siyam Pavilion stage, sponsored by the Sea to Sky Gondola, will feature live and recorded music, with Brian Marchant engineering the sound.
Cardiff and co-organizers Gregory Fischer and Michael Kanka have spent the past six months pulling together an evening of fun with the support of the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association (BIA) and the District of Squamish.
The Santa Parade, which takes place at 7 p.m., will add to the joyous atmosphere of the occasion, Cardiff said.
To submit entries to the Literary Art Contest, email [email protected]. For more information about the market, visit www.squamishchristmas.com
