It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas around the Royal City.
Royal City Centre is inviting community members to drop by and enjoy a plaza lighting celebration on Thursday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. That’s when they’ll throw the switch and light up the plaza.
Santa’s helpers will be handing out hot chocolate and glow sticks, and carollers will be making the rounds.
Many of the shops in the mall will be handing out coupons, samples or flyers in the plaza or in the mall.
The tree on top of Blenz Coffee at Sixth and Sixth will be illuminated at the same time that the new lighting in the plaza across the street is turned on, said Bart Slotman, vice-president of the Uptown Property Group.
Downtown will also be aglow during the holiday season, with a 40-foot tree taking centre stage in Hyack Square. The Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Area is also installing lights along Columbia Street.
“We are lighting up Columbia Street with $20,000 in lighting to light up all the trees down the street,” said Kendra Johnston, the group’s executive director. “We are very excited about the holiday season down here, and supporting our merchants.”
Christmas sale at thrift store
St. Barnabas Church’s thrift store may be the place to be to find new items to trim your Christmas tree.
The thrift store is holding a Christmas sale on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church hall at 1010 Fifth Ave.
“It’s Christmas stuff people have donated – decorations of all kinds, kitchen stuff with Christmas things,” said Roxee Forrest, an associate warden at the church. “People are really good about donating. We save it up all year long and have this one gigantic sale to kick off the season.”
After working up an appetite while shopping for Christmas items, shoppers will be able to buy hotdogs, hot chocolate, coffee and pop. Funds raised allow St. Barnabas Church to offer outreach programs such as an emergency food cupboard and a community lunch.
Paddlewheeler helps food bank
Local residents are invited to turn back time and take a leisurely cruise for food aboard The Nativepaddlewheeler.
The Nativeis lending a helping hand to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society and hosting cruises on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
“When you come aboard, you will be met by the merry crew who will point out the food bank’s donation and food boxes,” said a press release. “Your contributions will reward you with sparkling shoreline vistas on the Fraser’s wintry waterway and lively musical entertainment by Seniors Have Talent stars Bryan Pickering and Howie Hiebert. Freewheeling, paddlewheeling, family friendly, old-fashioned fun is on the program with sweet treats for boys and girls, both ‘nautical and nice.’”
Event publicist Vic Leach said people attending the cruises are asked to donate cash/cheque plus some nonperishable food items for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.
“The afternoon trips are a great way of seeing the shores from another perspective and being able to give at the same time,” he wrote in an email to The Record.
“Ordinarily a sailing of 90 minutes on the paddlewheeler would cost $40 plus taxes, so anyone who takes one of these trips will get a flavour of the Fraser while setting in motion waves of support for the food bank.”
Always dreamed of being captain of the ship? For a $25 donation, you can take a 60-second spin of the wheel with Captain Doug Leaney at your side. The moment will be recorded with a take-home photo.
On the evening of Dec. 1, a special Christmas Cruise for Food sailing will feature a two-and-a-half hour cruise, a wine and cheese tasting, and an overview of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society from its communications director, Kay Thody.
The evening sailing is being limited to 50 people (and one guest) who raise $150 or more through their business, club, union or other association.
To reserve your spot on the afternoon cruises, call 604-525-4465.
