It’s that time of year again and it is our pleasure to announce the 24th Annual Santa Claus Parade and Winter Festival organized by the Town of Creston and the Regional District Central Kootenay on Saturday, December 2nd from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Scheduling the Winter Festival during the day gives everyone an opportunity to come out for the parade, wander downtown between the activities and events afterward, or hunt for that unique local gift at the many downtown shops and community Christmas sales!
Kicking off the Festival at 11:00 AM, the Santa Claus Parade will begin at the intersection of Canyon Street and 10th Avenue, continuing down Canyon before finishing on 16th Avenue. Businesses and groups interested in entering a float are welcome to pick up entry forms in person at the Creston Visitors Centre (121 Northwest Blvd.) or download a copy online at the Town of Creston website, www.creston.ca and at www.crestonvalleybc.com.
We are also inviting the public to nominate and vote for your favourite “Winter Storefront Display” and “Best Decorated Float”! Simply take a picture of your favorite storefront display or float and post it to the Festival’s Facebook page (Creston Valley Winter Festival) with the hashtag #CVWINTERFEST. The store and float with the most nominations will each win a $300.00 gift certificate to a local business of their choosing.
After the parade be sure to stop in at Spirit Square (11th Avenue) to grab a free hot dog, get warm around the fire rings, and enjoy some live music provided by Creston’s very own Marybeth Stenhouse from 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM. Looking for something a little more active? Then Sign up a team for the Creston Baptist Church’s Family Street Hockey Tournament in the parking lot behind CIBC at 11:45 AM - 2:45 PM. Sixteen teams (eight each from a Family and Youth division) are invited to compete for two $150.00 local business gift certificates generously donated by RDCK Director Tanya Wall. Anyone interested in signing up a team can register in person at the Creston & District Community Complex.
Finally, families with young children should check out the Kid’s Christmas Craft and Gingerbread Cookie Decorating activities from 12:00-2:30 PM and Public Free Swim from 2:00-4:00 PM at the Creston and District Community Complex. For those shopping downtown, keep your eyes open for a few of Santa’s Helpers, who will be giving away “Santa Bucks”, gift certificates which can be redeemed at participating local businesses. The hitch is that these Santa Bucks have a short expiration date and must be spent that day! Better start checking your list!
And of course, while you’re downtown don’t miss the all the other events happening that day like the Rotary Club’s annual Christmas Tree Sale at Classic Glass & Trim, the Christmas Bake Sale at St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, and the Christmas Craft Fair at the Masonic Lodge.
For further information about the event, please visit www.crestonvalleybc.com or the Town of Creston’s website www.creston.ca, or contact the Creston Visitors’ Centre at (250) 428-4342. Thanks to everyone for your continued support of this community.
Submitted by the Town of Creston and the Regional District Central Kootenay