Watch out for Santa tonight at 6 p.m. during Oliver’s Christmas Light-Up.
This Friday’s Christmas Light-Up in Oliver will be more “sparkly” than ever before, according to its organizer.
Petra Veintimilla from the Oliver Business Association said a huge donation from FortisBC will make the downtown core quite a spectacle.
She credited Light-Up committee member Linda Bolton for arranging the sponsorship with FortisBC.
Veintimilla explained that the utility company made a significant donation so that OBA could hand out certificates to 30 businesses who can pick up the Christmas lights of their choice from Canadian Tire.
“Within an hour of handing out the certificates, people (businesses) were at the store looking for lights,” Veintimilla said.
The Light-Up festivities will give residents a chance to “rediscover” downtown from 4-6 p.m. There will be food vendors, hot beverages and goodies, wine tasting at Interior Savings Credit Union, a Christmas wreath contest and caroling by Sage Valley Voices.
“Sage Valley Voices really add to the spirit,” Veintimilla said.
And roasted chestnuts – see Brian and Karen Amos.
Before all of this starts, parents can take their children to Royal LePage realty for photographs with Santa from 3-5 p.m.
The Oliver Elementary School choir will perform at the Town hall from 5:30 to 6 p.m.
Watch for Santa to arrive on a fire truck at approximately 6 p.m.
The official Light-Up ceremony will take place with dignitaries at 6:15 p.m.
From there, people are invited to stay warm around a bonfire in Oliver Community Park. A fireworks display begins at 7:30 p.m. Veintimilla said they are still looking for donations to cover the cost.
On Saturday morning, the annual Breakfast With Santa event takes place at the Oliver Community Centre (from 9 am to 11:30 am). Cost is $7 per child. Adults pay by donation.
At 2 p.m., OBA will co-sponsor a free matinee movie (Minions) with Edward Jones.
