The spirit of Christmas will light up Qualicum Beach this Thursday evening during Moonlight Madness in the Village.
The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Community Hall and at 6 p.m. the christmas tree lights will be all aglow. Join Santa Clause, the town crier and Qualicum Beach mayor Teunis Westbroek for this annual tradition.
Hot chocolate will be available at the site, with cookies from the Courtyard Cafe. Following the light-up, a carriage will pick up Santa and deliver him to Remax Anchor Realty where he’ll be available for photos with children. Free carriage rides will continue throughout the evening, with pick-up and drops-offs at TD Bank and on Memorial Avenue outside the Bargain Bazaar and Petite Pizzazz.
Carolers will be singing their hearts out around town and participating businesses with the Qualicum Beach Downtown Business Association (QBDBA) — which is hosting the event — will have treats and refreshments including the Royal Bank, Bank of Montreal and TD Bank. Fresh N Fabulous Flowers will be celebrating its fifth anniversary of opening that evening, and will have hot apple cider and Mo’s Minis cake pops to celebrate.
Lilo Kallai, owner of Fresh N Fabulous and member of the QBDBA, said the event kicks off the Christmas season in Qualicum Beach.
“It’s a magical night because everything is lit up and everyone is happy and full of the Christmas spirit,” she said.
Echo Players will be opening the doors of the Village Theatre during the event serving hot chocolate and goodies while The Oceanside Jammers play some up-beat acoustic tunes. After the music visitors can watch a few scenes from the upcoming theatrical performance Cinderella, The Pantomime....With a Twist, and possibly win four tickets to the play. Draw tickets will be placed at selected merchants around town during Moonlight Madness and once people locate them, they can fill out the form and drop it in the box at the Village Theatre.
Participating businesses around Qualicum Beach will have draw boxes in-store giving shoppers the opportunity to win gift baskets. Shoppers can expect to find some big savings and specials in town during the event.