This Saturday everyone is invited down to the Woodward’s Community Stage to take part in Canada’s Largest Christmas Carol.
World Record attempt in Boston with 3,200 carolers. Photo:
Rich Moffitt on Flickr
Lead by Mark Donelly (whose rendition of our national anthem at hockey games cannot be beat), the event will attempt to break a record set by Adelaide, Australia. They are in the Guinness Book of World Records for “Largest Group of Carol Singers” with 9,100 participants. While organizers are unsure they’ll get those kind of numbers for the inaugural event in Vancouver, they hope to at least set a Canadian record.
To participate, come down to the Woodward’s Plaza, in front of the SFU entrance, on Saturday, December 18th from 12:00pm until 2:00pm. Warm up your voice and bring your jingle bells.
The following post was contributed by Kristi Ferguson of Fraser Valley Pulse.
The holiday season has offered plenty of fun out here in the Fraser Valley. The Nutcracker in Surrey, Disney on Ice in Abbotsford, Dickens Sweet Shop Christmas Village in Chilliwack and lots more…but it’s not over yet! Over the next couple of weeks there are many fun holiday activities for you and your family to experience and enjoy.
Here are 5 Fraser Valley holiday events worth checking out:
Winter Ice Palace
Visit the Cloverdale Arena during the 13th Annual Winter Ice Palace. The rink is transformed into a winter wonderland, an old-time skating pond atmosphere to bring back joyful memories of years past. A fun family event, Cloverdale’s Ice Palace is open every day between December 18, 2010 through January 2, 2011 – including Christmas Day and New Years Day. Click here to see the 2010 Winter Ice Palace schedule. Admission is $4, skate rentals $3, helmets $1.50.
Location: 6090 176 Street, Surrey
Ring: (604) 502-6410
Christmas in Williams Park
Bundle up the family, bring along the travel mugs of hot chocolate and head over to the 20th Annual Christmas in Williams Park. From December 6-16, 2010, drive through the park and admire the fun light and holiday displays from the comfort of your warm vehicle. December 17-18, 2010 will feature local entertainment, face painting and horse & carriage rides. Food and refreshments, a visit with Santa – what could be better? Open 6:00pm until 9:00pm nightly.
Location: 238 Street at 68 Avenue, Langley
The North Pole in Maple Ridge
The North Pole BC is in Maple Ridge from now until December 24th, before Santa sets out on his journeys. Call ahead to book a time for you and your family to visit. Children’s names and information are registered ahead of time so that when the meet Santa, he’s in-the-know and ready to wow them! There are all kinds of activities for the kids to do during their visit, besides visiting with the big guy. They can build a toy in Santa’s workshop or train to be an elf in Elf Academy. Bring a wrapped gift so that Santa can gift them something they’ve been longing for. Register for this ASAP as you can imagine how busy it will get closer to Christmas. Allow at least 2 days prior to your visit and Santa will phone your child on the telephone to invite him/her to the North Pole!
Ring: (604) 898-9000
Indoor Train Rides at Minter Country Garden Store
Minter Country Garden Store is all lit up with thousands of holiday lights! From now until Christmas Eve, enjoy miniature train rides on the indoor track for just $2 and take in the sights and sounds of the holidays. Enjoy a tea or hot chocolate in the cafe and live music on December 22-23 (6:00pm – 8:00pm). For those looking for daytime activities, visit Minter Country Garden Store December 18-19, 2010 for Family Fun Days – Pancake Breakfast with Santa, train rides all day, photos with Santa and a candy cane scavenger hunt at 1:00pm both days.
Location: 10015 Young Road, Chilliwack
Ring: (604) 791-7191
Hemlock Tubes for Toys
Head up to Hemlock Valley Resort December 18-19, 2010 during their Tubes for Toys event. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army’s Family Christmas Assistance Program and you will receive a free tubing pass and hot chocolate. While we have been enjoying bucket-loads of rain, Hemlock has been piling up the snow, so it’s a great time to visit. Winter fun for everyone!
Location: 20955 Hemlock Valley Road, Hemlock Valley
Ring: (604) 797-4411
This post was contributed by Kristi Ferguson of FraserValleyPulse.com and Double You Business Services. Fraser Valley Pulse features community events and local business features from Surrey to Chilliwack. Be sure to check out the 12 Days of Christmas in the Fraser Valley campaign. Help support local charities and enter to win fabulous holiday gifts! Follow @FVPulse or @DoubleYouKristi on Twitter.
As a part of the 2nd Annual Granville Island Public Market Food Bank Drive the Granville Island Day Vendors Association (GIDVA) will be collecting non-perishable food items and cash in the Public Market on behalf of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society until January 9, 2011.
The wish-list for food items includes: canned meat/fish, peanut butter, bags of whole wheat pasta/rice, pasta sauce, canned fruit/vegetables, cereal, baby formula, and baby food. Cash donations will be used by the Food Bank to purchase perishable items such as eggs, vegetables, fruits, milk, baby products, chickens and Christmas turkeys.
“Sadly, up to 25‚000 people throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore rely on our help each week. Up to 40% are children. They’re the working poor, single parents, new immigrants, or the elderly on fixed incomes. They’re your neighbours. They struggle to pay the rent, heat their homes, pay for school supplies, and put enough food on the table. They all deserve to have a good Christmas. But they urgently need your help.”
Cheryl Carline (Prepchuk), CEO, GVFBS
Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s top shopping destinations, loved by locals and visitors alike. It’s a great place to pick up a unique Christmas gift (anything from crafted sake to jewellery or kayaking gift certificates). While you’re there this season, please consider dropping off a donation at one of the Day Vendor locations to help make someone else’s holidays bright.
It’s time to bust out your knitted reindeer pullover (with sequined Rudolph nose) for the Ugly Sweater Tweetup happening this week.
The tweetup will take place at the Robson Square Ice Rink (under Robson between Hornby and Howe) on Wednesday, December 15th from 4:30pm until 6:00pm. Be sure to bring your sweater, a mug (for some free Starbucks coffee), your skates (skating is free but skate rental is $2), and your mobile so you can post updates and watch your tweets @DowntownVan show up on the big screen.
Tweetups (Twitter-Meetups) are in-person gatherings of people who interact on Twitter. It’s a chance to get out from behind the computer screen and connect while participating in a fun activity. Presented by the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, you can RSVP online for this free event and follow updates on Wednesday by searching for the tag #DowntownSweater.
Last month Keira and I were guests of the Magnolia Hotel in Victoria, which was my first stay a hotel right in the city’s inner harbour. After driving from Nanaimo along a snowy Malahat Highway we were greeted at the curb with a smile and promptly checked into our room. The lobby was warm with the aroma of hot apple cider as guests lounged in front of the fireplace.
Our room was very large for a boutique hotel with plenty of room for two girls and their luggage, two queen beds, a deep bathtub to accomodate Keira’s evening wind-down soak, bath bombs, Aveda care products, mini-bar with sink and mirror, desk, and sitting area with wine and cheese waiting for us upon arrival. Directly behind the Fairmont Empress, our view of the legislature buildings and the harbour was spectacular as lights twinkled and the snow fell gently on the capital city.
In the morning we had enjoyed facials in the Spa Magnolia downstairs and then we shopped til we dropped.
Everything we needed was within walking distance of the Magnolia — from the Royal BC Museum and Rogers Chocolates to the Bay Centre. Our Victoria trip was packed full of activities as we walked over to the Empress for Afternoon Tea, and did a tea tasting at Silk Road before enjoying a satisfying dinner at Prime Steakhouse on the main floor of the hotel. In true steak-house fashion the cuts of meat were grilled to perfection with ample side dishes to compliment the meal.
I’ve stayed at only three other hotels in Victoria and each have their merits. What I liked about the Magnolia was definitely its location and its very warm atmosphere. Although there was a grand piano in the luxuriously furnished lobby, it lacked pretentiousness and was very welcoming. There is great value to be had at the hotel (with rooms starting at around $160 this season) along with a really nice touch of class and comfort. To top it off, the staff was friendly and accommodating, making for a very relaxing stay.
The Magnolia Hotel is located at 623 Courtney Street in the heart of Victoria. Follow them on Twitter or Facebook for special offers and hotel news. If you’re heading over this winter, Keira has posted a list of regional Christmas activities.
Disclosure: cmp.ly/2
