Not to worry, Santa Claus will still be visiting the Creston Valley this year, despite a few changes to the annual Santa Parade.
This year Creston will be celebrating the Christmas season with a community winter festival that will take place on December 2, 2017, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. “The Creston Valley is invited to spend an afternoon taking part in community activities fun for the entire family.” said event organizer Jesse Willicome. “By changing the time of the parade and introducing a community festival we wanted to address the decline in the number of parade floats, give residents an opportunity to shop local and provide a fun afternoon for families. The community support surrounding this inaugural event has been incredible.”
Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on event updates via the Creston Valley Winter Festival Facebook page. “Since the announcement of the Winter Festival we have had several local businesses come forward to sponsor various activities. Everyone wants to see the Winter Festival be a success and something we can continue for years to come.”
Winter Festival Highlights
Santa Claus Parade – Sponsored by The Town of Creston and RDCK
The Santa Claus Parade will begin at the intersection of Canyon Street and 16th Avenue, continuing down Canyon before finishing on 10th Avenue.
Pictures with Santa Claus – Sponsored by Creston Card and Stationery
Free pictures with Santa at Creston Card and Stationery.
Store Front Window Display Contest – Sponsored by the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce
Nominate and vote for your favourite “Winter Storefront Display”. Simply take a picture of your favourite storefront display and post it to the Creston Valley Winter Festival Facebook page with the hashtag #CVWINTERFEST. The store with the most nominations will win a $300.00 gift certificate to a local business of their choosing.
Favourite Float Contest – Sponsored by RDCK
Nominate and vote for your favourite “Parade Float”. Take a picture of your favourite parade float and post it to the Creston Valley Winter Festival Facebook page with the hashtag #CVWINTERFEST. The float with the most nominations will win a $300.00 gift certificate to a local business of their choosing.
Kids Korner hosted by the CDCC and the Creston Museum. Food for the Kids Korner is sponsored by Creston Valley Bakery.
Gingerbread Cookie Decorating with the CDCC is limited to the first 100 children. The Christmas Crafts activity with the Creston Valley Museum has unlimited availability for children.
Free Public Swim - Sponsored by the Town of Creston and RDCK
Street Hockey Tournament – Sponsored by Creston Baptist Church, RDCK Area B, and Creston Card & Stationery.
Sign up a team for the Creston Baptist Church’s Family Street Hockey Tournament in the parking lot behind CIBC. Sixteen teams (eight each from a Family and Youth division) are invited to compete for two $150.00 local business gift certificates. Anyone interested in signing up a team can register in person at the Creston & District Community Complex.
Live music in Spirit Square – Sponsored by Town of Creston
Local musician Marybeth Stenhouse will be spreading Christmas cheer in Spirit Square.
Santa Bucks – Sponsored by Creston Valley - Kootenay Lake Economic Action Partnership Plan
Gift certificates aka as “Santa Bucks” in the denominations of $5, $10, $20, and $50 will be given out by Santa’s secret helpers throughout the afternoon. Santa Bucks can be redeemed on the day of the festival at local participating businesses.
Hot dogs and hot chocolate in Spirit Square - Sponsored by Town of Creston, Creston Fire Department, Tim Hortons, Famous Fritz, Golden Flour Bakery, Overwaitea, Creston Bakery, and Pealows.
Grab a free hot dog, get warm around the fire rings in Spirit Square.
Be sure to stop by the Rotary Club’s annual Christmas Tree Sale at Classic Glass & Trim, St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church Bake Sale and annual Masonic Lodge Christmas Craft Fair.
“I want to thank everyone in the Creston Valley community for their continued support. The winter festival will be an exciting day of celebration for the whole community.”
For further information about the festival, please visit www.crestonvalleybc.com or the Town of Creston’s website www.creston.ca, or contact Creston Visitor Centre at 250-428-4342.
Look for the complete Creston Valley Winter Festival schedule in next week’s Creston Valley Advance.