Christmas on Salt Spring Island

Comments 372 by Rebecca Bollwitt Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013 — 2:24pm PST

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This week I’m heading over to Salt Spring Island to enjoy the third annual Glowtini competition. Bartenders and mixologist from the lovely isle will compete to tantalize taste-buds with a custom cocktail created specifically for Salt Spring Islanders and guests this holiday season.

The Glowtini contest will begin at 8:00pm on Thursday, December 5, 2013 and those in attendance with us at Harbour House can make a donation to Salt Spring’s Copper Kettle Community Partnership to try the cocktail that gets crowned as this year’s Glowtini.

Get out your drink card for the 3rd Annual Glowtini Contest and find out who will win bragging rights for the best signature holiday cocktail on Salt Spring Island. A packed house is expected at the Harbour House Hotel where five mixologists will shake up their best recipes to impress the judges and take home the coveted “Glowtini Trophy”. Past winners have included Tom Messer from the Salt Spring Inn and Jesse Anderson, who won on behalf of Moby’s last year.

This year the winning Glowtini will be awarded to the contestant who best incorporates local ingredients and captures the Christmas on Salt Spring theme: ‘Get Your Glow ON!’ Last year mixologists came up with a rich assortment of candy coloured favourites, and unique elements such as sugarplums, brulee lemon and homemade ginger beer.

A celebrity panel of judges experienced everything from a watching a blowtorch put the finishing touches on one Christmas cocktail, to smelling a local tea before it was infused into the winning Glowtini.

Emcee for this year is writer and radio personality, John Bateman. He is thrilled to be part of the action, “I am excited to be hosting an event where it is not only acceptable for the crowd to drink martinis, it’s almost expected of them. It’s refreshing to see an event on Salt Spring that is strictly for fun and doesn’t involve saving the world in some way.”

On the judging panel this year I will be joined by Art of the Cocktail winner, Victoria based mixologist Jayce Kaduschuk from Clive’s Classic Lounge, and community-builder Janis La Couvée, also from Victoria — it’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it! This is just one of many Christmas on Salt Spring events happening this month.

Christmas on Salt Spring Island Getaway

Salt Spring is such a beautiful West Coast destination that John and I absolutely adore which is why I’m excited that they have once again partnered with me for a campaign. For the last two years the Salt Spring Christmas Committee has offered up an amazing getaway for one lucky Miss604 reader and their guest and we’re doing it all again this year.

Your prize starts with a round trip flight for two, departing from floatplane docks at either the Pat Bay Seaplane base, or from downtown Vancouver courtesy Saltspring Air. Destination Ganges Harbour on beautiful Salt Spring Island. Hastings House Country House Hotel will meet you at the seaplane dock and escort you to the hotel where you will spend two luxurious nights in one of Canada’s best hotels. Your prize also features a morning breakfast hamper, afternoon tea and a complimentary fireside massage. Settle into your deluxe accommodation overlooking Ganges Harbour. Your hillside room features a king size bed, gas fireplace, large bathroom with deep soaking tub and separate shower, heated floors and a covered balcony to drink in the views.

That evening your dinner reservations will be at one of the Island’s favourite dining establishments, Auntie Pestos. The following day you will discover a morning hamper at your door, inside are freshly baked muffins and coffee to help awaken you. A full English Breakfast served in our Manor House will complete your visit and prepare you for another day of discovering more fabulous adventures on Salt Spring. Before you leave you will also be treated to a Fireside Massage, courtesy the Wellspring Spa at Hastings House. Enjoy the crackling fire as we bring the spa experience to you.

I have two previous winners, from 2011 and 2012, who each wrote about their prize experience:

Roshena Huang: “In Miss 604′s original post, she described Salt Spring Island as “magical”. There is truly no better word to communicate the feeling of being in your presence…” “…Salt Spring Island, this was my first visit, but it will certainly not be the last. We loved your easygoing attitude and quiet pride. Locals and fellow tourists alike were singing the praises of your community in the summer, when the market is bustling and the outdoor adventures of kayaking and hiking become a real possibility.”

Wanderlust Megan: “It was tough leaving Hastings House on Sunday, I wanted to move into the Heather Suite, soak away in their tub and enjoy the property more, but our adventure on Salt Spring was over until next time. The accommodations, the service are the best that I have ever experienced. I’ll miss walking around the grounds and all the little details that made this weekend extra special.”

Contest Entry and Details

The prize recap, as detailed above:

Round trip flights for two, courtesy of Saltspring Air
Two nights accommodation for two, at Hastings House Country House Hotel including: Afternoon Tea and English breakfast and a Fireside Massage
$100 Dinner gift card at one of the Island’s popular eateries, Auntie Pestos
$50 Gift card for boutique shopping at Twang & Pearl and a Salt Spring ornament

Here’s how you can enter to win the incredible Salt Spring GLOW giveaway (valued at $2,500!) from Salt Spring Island Tourism and the Salt Spring Christmas Committee:

Leave a comment naming a Christmas on Salt Spring event (as listed in the online calendar) (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

RT to enter to win a #GLOW @HelloSaltSpring getaway from @Miss604 http://bit.ly/604GLOW2013

Follow Salt Spring Island Tourism on Twitter and Facebook for more information throughout the year.

I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 12:00pm. Must be 19+ to enter and claim. Prize includes and is limited to the items listed in the prize recap above. The winner will have to claim their prize between January 15th to April 15th, 2014, based on availability of flights and accommodation. The winner will also agree to be disclosed and do any follow-up interviews/ or media related activities. Hastings House Country House Hotel, Salt Spring Christmas Committee, and Saltspring Air are sponsoring this prize pack.

Update The winner is @maisonandmode on Twitter!

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*All contests are open to residents of Canada only, unless otherwise stated. Contest timelines are published on each individual post along with entry methods. Some contests may only be open to those 19 years of age and older. Winners are announced on the contest blog posts. Contest policy »