Last year’s Osoyoos Royalty and their Little Buddies rode in the Osoyoos Festival Society’s float with Santa and Mrs. Claus. This year’s Royalty will again appear in the Christmas Lite-Up parade on Friday, Dec. 4. (Richard McGuire file photo)
The Christmas season officially kicks off in Osoyoos the first weekend in December with the 27th annual Osoyoos Christmas Lite-Up.
Last week, Town of Osoyoos employees were hanging coloured lights in the trees in front of town hall, while organizers work to prepare for the events taking place Dec. 4 and 5.
Mayor Sue McKortoff, who is chairing the event as a volunteer with the Osoyoos Festival Society, said most events would stick to the format that has been popular in past years.
The highlight is the Santa parade down Main Street at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, but other events fill the two days.
Once again, Smitty’s Family Restaurant is holding its annual Smitty’s Toys for Tots to Teens from 7 to 10 a.m. on the Friday.
Customers who bring a new, unwrapped children’s toy or cash donation for the Kiwanis Club “Share the Christmas Spirit” program will receive a free breakfast.
Breakfast is served by members of the Osoyoos Coyotes hockey team, the Osoyoos Soroptimists and Kiwanis Club, along with other volunteers.
That evening, local merchants are holding an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. with refreshments and store specials.
The Rotary Club of Osoyoos is serving hot dogs and hot chocolate on Main Street with proceeds going to the food bank.
The Okanagan International Chorus, directed by Lloyd Fairweather, will be singing Christmas carols in front of Osoyoos Home Hardware from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
Osoyoos Secondary School is holding its Santa’s Night Out as a dry grad fundraiser at the Sonora Community Centre from 6:30 to 10 p.m., also on Friday evening.
People also have the option to attend an Osoyoos Coyotes hockey game that evening at the Sun Bowl Arena, or a concert with the South Okanagan Concert Series in Oliver, McKortoff said.
The Coyotes host the Princeton Posse and the concert series is presenting the Daniel Gervais Trio.
The Main Street parade typically has 10 to 20 floats and these include entries from the snowbirds at Nk’Mip, Osoyoos Fire Department, the RCMP and BC Ambulance, as well as community groups and businesses.
The Osoyoos Festival Society’s float will again feature the reigning Osoyoos Royalty.
Of course, the highlight of the parade is the arrival of Santa Claus. This year long-time Santa Mike de Salaberry and his wife Margaret return to play the roles of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Two years ago, de Salaberry announced his retirement, McKortoff said, but he missed it, so he’s returning in a more limited role.
He’ll be involved in the Smitty’s event, the parade, an event Saturday morning at the Osoyoos Baptist Church and will probably stop in at Saturday’s Kiwanis Craft Fair, she said.
Saturday morning starts off with Breakfast with Santa and Photos at Osoyoos Baptist Church, an event sponsored by Osoyoos Child Care Centre.
As in past years, members of the Osoyoos Coyotes will serve breakfast. That event runs from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
The Kiwanis Christmas Craft Fair runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Legion Hall and admission is by donation to the food bank.
Once again, the local Sears store is holding its Ugly Sweater Contest, an event that started last year. People are invited to come by wearing their ugliest sweater, which will be judged, with the winner receiving a prize. This event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Troy’s Grill is inviting people to come by for cookie decorating from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Town employee Derek Ruck was back in the cherry picker last week stringing Christmas lights on the trees by town hall. He had help on the ground with the light strings from Barry Stene. Mark Paolera (not shown) operated the bucket from the truck. The lights will light Main Street during Christmas Lite-Up, which takes place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5. (Richard McGuire photo)
