This Saturday, it will be pretty hard not to get into the Christmas spirit if you live in or visit Chemainus.
Volunteers from Little Town Christmas and the Christmas Walking Tour are working together to produce a one-day Christmas event Saturday, Dec. 14.
For the seventh year, a dedicated corps of volunteers is putting on Little Town Christmas, an old-fashioned, family celebration with all the fellowship, fun and excitement of the season.
“It’s all about old-fashioned values and making sure the whole family can enjoy themselves without breaking the bank,” Little Town Christmas chair Shelley Rouse said in a press release. “All our events are by donation, thanks to the generosity of local organizations like the Rotary, Legion, Eagles, BIA. and many, many businesses.
“As well, we’ve got a tremendous group of volunteers who run the games, crafts, events and other activities as well as sell raffle tickets and help us raise funds to put on Little Town Christmas.”
Rouse says the fun begins at 2:30 p.m. in Waterwheel Park and will run until about 5:30 p.m.
The Christmas Walking Tour also takes place this Saturday, and it runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“Santa arrives at 4:20 and that will certainly be a highlight, but there’s entertainment, games, a fish pond, hockey shoot-out, a cake walk, live nativity scene and so much more going on,” said Rouse.
There will be hot dogs and hot chocolate, music, and a chance for children to have their photo taken with Santa.
As is the case every year, Little Town Christmas will feature special musical performances.
“We’ll have performances by the Chemainus Secondary School Band, the Calvary Baptist Church Choir, St. Joseph’s Choir and the Chemainus Community Band and Swing Band,” said Rouse.
As well as Little Town Christmas and the Christmas Walking Tour, the Eagles’ annual Christmas Carol Ship Cruise will take place on Saturday evening. The cruise leaves from the Chemainus ferry dock, and tickets are available at the 49th General Store.
“We’re really pleased to see everyone working together to make the Christmas season so special in our community,” said Rouse. “There’s a real spirit of Christmas, goodwill and joy building in Chemainus again this year.”
The Cowichan Neighbourhood House is also hosting its annual Community Christmas Dinner Saturday, Dec. 14. Doors open at 5 p.m., and dinner is at 6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a side dish of salad or veggies, or a dessert, if they are able, and help would also be gratefully appreciated in the kitchen, setting up and cleaning up, and providing music.
At the same time, the Chemainus Festival of Trees at Chemainus Gardens, which began Dec. 7, will be in full swing.
Explore a magical forest of decorated trees and enjoy a poetry competition, puppetry, music and more every day until Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 3042 River Rd.
Don’t forget to bring a donation for Harvest House Food Bank.