The Princeton Volunteer Fire Brigade gave Santa a lift into town on Friday, November 25 so he could give the Princeton and District Chamber of Commerce a hand with the Light Up festivities.
Well known for his big heart, local Scott Musgrove emceed the event, welcomed all present and introduced the evenings entertainment.
Princeton Sparks and Brownies, Princeton Highland Dancers and the Baptist Church Choir entertained at Veteran’s Square while the “Trubador,” Mr. Allan Kovaltsenko provided Christmas carols throughout the downtown core.
While children visited with Santa at the Library, hot chocolate and popcorn compliments of the Princeton Lions Club and Valley First were provided at Veteran’s Square. At the Princeton Plaza Mall cookies, hot chocolate and craft making were provided complements of Realty Executives and Everything Pets and the opportunity to roast marshmallows over an open fire was given by The Similkameen Spotlight. Krankin Vintage added a little gift giving to the evening by inviting children to choose a Hot Wheels car from their Christmas Tree.
Children and adults alike enjoyed the Christmas Wagon rides throughout town. West Coast Equipment provided the wagon, Terry Inglis drove for the evening and Dave Gilham provided the hay for comfort during the ride.
The first annual Weiner Dog race was held on Bridge Street with “Bella” who sort of looks like a Weiner Dog, came in first place, winning best out of three. Owners Dylan and Kris Gullason were quite excited with the win.
Winners of the annual Christmas Tree competition were; Adults – Princeton Rotary and Youth – Princeton Cheer Leaders.
The Chamber would like to extend a special thank you to Santa – Dan with a twinkle in his eye, Senior Citizens for doing the candy & oranges, Okanagan Regional Library for allowing Santa in to meet with all the boys and girls, pictures by Paperclip Collective - proceeds to the Princeton Young Life Youth Group and to Jerry and Patty Rogers for helping collect our prizes.
The Chamber invites everyone to take part in the Passport program. For every $5 you spend at participating stores you will receive a stamp in your passport. When your passport is fully stamped, fill in the back and put it in the draw box at the Similkameen Spotlight, Legion office, Thomasina’s Tea Room or the Chamber / Visitor Centre office. This program runs until Dec. 15. On December 16 a draw for three prizes will be made; third prize $200; second prize $300; and first prize $500 in Princeton Bucks that can be spent at any of the following participating merchants or event sponsors.
Participating Merchants:
Allison Athletics, Coopers Foods, Everything Pets, Fields, Heart to Heart, IDA Pharmacy, Outback Jack’s, Pizza Party, Princeton Farm Centre, Princeton Produce Market, Princeton’s Loonie Bin, Rootz Hair Salon, Santo’s, Sears, Sunflower Gallery, The Source, Thomasina’s Tea Room, Valley First, Winking Pedlar, and Work N’ Play.
Event Sponsors:
Royal Canadian Legion, Princeton Redi-Mix, The Hut Grocery & Bottle Depot, The Hut Office & Tax Services, A&W, Brown Bridge Pub, Copperhill Lanes, Cowboy Coffee & CoCo’s Bistro, Dairy Queen, Evergreen Motel, Everything Pets, Hayes Creek Electric, Ponderosa Motel / Mikados Restaurant, Mel’s Barbershop, PetroCan, Princeton Chevron, Princeton Glass, Subway, Thomasina’s Tea Room, Villager Motel, and Weyerhaeuser
The Princeton and District Chamber of Commerce extends a huge amount of thanks to the businesses who supported and participated in the Light Up and would like to encourage everyone to support these businesses.