Tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 5, is an exciting day in our community as it is the date for the sixth annual Christmas Market from 3 to 9 p.m. and for the Santa Parade from 7 to 8 p.m. The new location for the market on Cleveland Avenue is between Winnipeg and Victoria Streets. There is something for everyone, from delicious food, artisan crafts, caroling with local musicians, winter beer garden and more.
There is a new route for the Santa parade as it will come down Cleveland Avenue from Pemberton Avenue and down to Main Street. BC Transit is providing special runs from Brackendale, Valleycliffe and the Highlands and return.
After weeks of rehearsals, the Sea to Sky Singers is pleased to be presenting their annual Christmas concert, which features Vivaldi’s “Gloria” along with the traditional Christmas sing-a-long including favourite carols. Performances will be held at St. John’s Anglican Church on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. Pick your tickets up at the Newport Market, Concrete Blonde or at the door for $15 each. There is no charge for children 12 years and under.
Another tradition is Carol’s Carols and it will be held in Squamish United Church on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. and admission is a cash donation to Community Christmas Care. Participants include soloists Kayla Matzen, Sam Sherlock, Eliza Carter, the Brackendale School Choir and the United Church Choir. The evening is never complete until longtime talented organizer Carol Grolman leads the gathering in the wonderful Christmas song, “Do We Really Believe,” written and composed by Carol.
The Polar Express and all the excitement in the CN Roundhouse and Convention Centre at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park continues this weekend, Dec. 6 and 7, and Dec. 13 and 14. For Polar Express tickets, please call 604-229-1103.
There are still a few tickets left for the annual Seniors Christmas Banquet to be held at the Seniors Centre on Friday, Dec. 12 and are available at $20 each. Tickets already purchased can be returned up until Dec. 10.
The December bird count for the Squamish Environment Society will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 8 a.m. starting from the Howe Sound Inn and Brew Pub. The group will be making a tally of all species in the estuary, and they will be on the lookout for trumpeter swans, which have traditionally wintered in Squamish. For more information, call Judith at 604-892-3340.
Tonight, Dec. 4, the Quest University lecture series will welcome Justin Busch to the Squamish Public Library at 6:30 p.m. His subject will be: Art and Action: H.G. Wells, Henry James and the Power of Fiction.
The Community Christmas Care project is gearing up for delivery of hampers to those folks who need a little extra help to make Dec. 25 a special day for them. Please remember to include in your grocery shopping carts some non-perishable food items that can be placed in the specially marked boxes on their premises. Don’t forget appropriate toys and other items for youngsters and teens are requested. Cash donations can be taken to Squamish Savings, The Squamish Chief or mailed to: Community Christmas Care, P.O. Box 516, Squamish, BC V8B 0A4. Delivery date is Dec. 18.
The theme luncheon at the Seniors Centre is much earlier this month and will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 11:45 a.m., and the menu includes crispy chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables and cheesecake. Purchase tickets by Dec. 8 at $9 for members and $10 for non-members. Students from Valleycliffe Elementary School will provide entertainment.
This Saturday, Dec. 6, the Cedar Valley Waldorf School’s Christmas Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include activities for children and adults, handmade items, sweet treats, a barbecue and more.
A Holiday Craft Fair will be held Monday, Dec. 8 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Lounge of Squamish Manor at 38209 Third Ave. Handmade gift items, baking and more will be sold.
Dr. David Helfand from Quest University will be the guest lecturer at the Squamish Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m., when his subject will be: Innovative Education is not an Oxymoron.
The Squamish Youth Ballet presents The Nutcracker at the Eagle Eye Theatre tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and matinee at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. General admission costs $25 each.
Always a fun evening is the Acoustic Jam at the Brackendale Art Gallery. The date is Sunday, Dec. 7 from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Many Christmas activities are planned at the Sea to Sky Gondola starting with Santa Brunch, photos and activities on Dec. 6 and 7.
The Squamish Skating Club is pleased to be presenting the Nutcracker on ice at the Brennan Park area on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m.
The Over the Hill Hikers will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. at Canadian Tire for a Hoods in the Woods hike. For more information, call Heather at 604-892-9003.
The Tantalus Walking Club will meet on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. at the Fisherman’s entrance (access to spit dike) for a Woodpecker Trail walk. For more information, call Joyce at 604-898-5594.
The Hearts in Motion Walking Club will meet for a trail walk tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. at the McDonalds parking lot. For more information, call Yvonne at 604-898-5268 or me at 604-815-0152.
