A FIRST FOR PARKSVILLE: More than 100 people gathered on Morison Avenue in downtown Parksville on Thursday evening for the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season, a light-up of a big sequoia tree, an event organized by the Parksville Downtown Business Association. The Craig Bay Choristers entertained the crowd with carols before Mayor Marc Lefebvre flipped the switch to light the tree. Above are PDBA chair Sandy Herle and Lefebvre in front of the tree.