Oak Bay officially kicks off the holiday season Saturday with a light-up event to herald the 12th annual Oak Bay Christmas Festival. This year, the opening celebration offers a greater variety of music and activities.
"Light-up is a popular event and we wanted to present more activities for families as well as expand the musical offerings," said Elizabeth Smith, president of the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association. "It's a great way to celebrate the start of the season."
Activities include:
? 2 p.m.: Family fun
begins with a bouncy castle and street-hockey games. There will also be face painting, giant board games and a roving magician. A Christmas craft booth will guide children through creating a mini door swag. Canada Post employees will be on hand, collecting letters for delivery to Santa Claus.
? 3 p.m.: Musical entertainment begins onstage with the B.C. Fiddle Orchestra and the Joy of Life Choir. This year, the choir will be joined by singer-songwriter Mae Moore.
? 5 p.m.: Thousands of lights that have been hung on buildings, lampposts and trees will light up.
Santa Claus will arrive on an Oak Bay fire truck. The Oak Bay Fire Hall at 1703 Monterey Ave. will light up at the same time.
Following the light-up, Vibestreet Dance presents a winter-themed hip-hop dance performance.
Light-up wraps up with a performance by the Daniel Lapp Trio, blending eastern European melodies with Euro-jazz beats and a collection of Celtic melodies.
A variety of food will be available, including roasted chestnuts, a perennial favourite.
The event is free. Activities run 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday along the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Oak Bay Avenue.
Traffic will be diverted starting at noon. For more information, go to visitoakbayvillage.ca.
