December is almost here and Santa Claus is coming for a visit before the big day! The annual Santa Claus Parade and festival runs Dec. 7, with a free swim, gingerbread man decorating and pictures with Santa, as well as free hotdogs and hot chocolate in the Spirit of Creston Square during and after the parade, which starts at 6 p.m.
Entries are still being accepted for the parade, and forms may be picked up and dropped off at the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce. It is free to enter.
Peter Bodley, Carl Erickson and more will play at the Snoring Sasquatch before and after the Santa Claus Parade.
Bodley will perform from 5-5:30 p.m. for young children before the parade, in a free event sponsored by the early childhood development team and Success by Six.
Born in Capetown, South Africa, Bodley grew up in Montreal, where he began folk guitar lessons at the age of 10. His peers instructed him in classical and rock technique; however, he is primarily a self-taught musician. His independent study of the guitar combined with music theory courses has allowed him to acquire necessary improvisation and composing skills.
He was exposed to classical guitar through rock and roll artists such as Steve Howe, Alex Lifeson and Rik Emmett. This led him to explore the Spanish guitar. He listened to the repertoire of astounding guitar players like John Williams and Liona Boyd, and most recently became familiar with Pavlo, Jesse Cook, Oscar Lopez and Robert Michaels.
Although Bodley’s live performances and playlist are often spontaneous, he will be playing a mix of his CD, Classics for Kids, along with compositions from his previous CDs, which cover classical, folk and flamenco styling. It will be an entirely acoustic evening and 90 per cent instrumental. He will also be joined by special guests Warren Bruns on vocals and guitar, and Neil Ripski on percussion.
At 7 p.m., after the parade, doors open (admission by donation) for Carl Erickson (saxophone, guitar, vocals), who will offer a Christmas program, joined by Donnie Clark (trumpet), Gary Snow (bass, vocals), Ted Bryant (guitar, vocals) and Adam Koenig (percussion), as well as special guest vocalist Traci Stonehouse.
Stonehouse started singing when she was very young., learning at home with her mother, who sang and taught music through Royal Conservatory of Music, where she studied for five years.
Growing up, Stonehouse preformed in multiple choirs and plays, and is currently singing with her “church team”, which she has done for the last 15 years.
“Music runs in my family and I have a passion for it,” she said.
“Traci is a very lovely gal with a great voice,” said Erickson. “She will be with us on Dec. 7 singing great tunes like The Christmas Song, better known as Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, and Silver Bells in a light shuffle kind of way.
“Traci is a wonderful singer with a dazzling smile and a winning way. .... Come out and meet her and have a listen.”