LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
Seven homes in the area will be lavishly decorated for the holiday season, and residents are invited to come take a tour Dec. 8 while supporting local charities.
It's the third annual Christmas in Oceanside Home Tour being put on by the Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach Sunrise to support local charities like Oceanside Hospice Society, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue, Qualicum Beach Elementary Literacy Program and Coats for Kids and Folks.All six homes along with the Hospice House will each have a different theme such as Japanese, English country and West Coast modern.
Josey Palleson lives in Qualicum Beach and her oceanfront home will feature a Nautical theme. Besides the fish, traps and nets, Palleson has a 14-foot Christmas tree that her eight grandchildren love.
"I have a great love for Christmas," she said. "I'm a decorator at heart."Palleson said she's also taking part to give back to the Hospice Society, which helped her greatly when her sister passed away in September.
Rotary Club member Dennis Finnegan said the self-guided tour is a great opportunity for people to get Christmas decorating ideas while also donating to very worthy causes in the community.New this year, several local restaurants are offering discounts to ticket holders.
"We've gained support from seven of the local restaurants so people can take a break and eat what they want and get a discount on their food that day," said Finnegan.Last year around 200 people took the tour and the Rotary Club is hoping for 250 this year.The houses, which span from North Qualicum Beach to Nanoose Bay, can be explored Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at both Parksville and Qualicum Beach Visitor Information Centres, Mulberry Bush Book Stores, Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce, The Shoe Inn in Qualicum Beach and Close to You Ladies Fashions in Parksville.