Note: This story contains a time correction from the original posting.
Area residents don't see snow that often, so the City of Victoria and Downtown Victoria Business Association is bringing the snow to Centennial Square for its first-ever Snow Day this Saturday (Dec. 1).
The event features ice and snow carving demonstrations, snow-themed crafts and activities, interactive characters and lots of real snow. A DJ will provide the music holiday tunes and giveaway prizes will be drawn for. Snow Day runs from 1 to 5 p.m. in the square.
Before you head down to catch the snow, you might wish to check out the annual Tuba Christmas concert in Market Square. The free hour-long event sees 60 top tuba players from around B.C. and the Pacific Northwest performing a collection of Christmas tunes.
That evening at 7 p.m., catch the lighted ship parade in the Inner Harbour, where boats of all sizes sail past in holiday splendour.
From there you'll be able to see the annual Island Equipment Owners' Association truck light convoy roll past. The illuminated convoy, featuring heavy equipment vehicles of all kinds, rolls out of Ogden Point at 5:45 p.m.
The route includes Dallas Road and Fairfield Road, along Beach Drive and Oak Bay Avenue through the village, down Yates Street to Douglas Street then Belleville Street and back up Government Street all the way to Douglas. It heads out Highway 1 to roll past the windows of the Victoria General Hospital children's ward, and is scheduled to hit Western Speedway in Langford between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m.
There are drop-off points at various places along the route for non-perishable items for the Mustard Seed Food Bank. A complete list of locations is at ieoa.ca under the 2012 Truck Light Parade heading.
On Sunday at 4:30 p.m. outside the Royal B.C. Museum, you can carol along with the Newcombe Choir accompanied by the Netherlands Centennial Carillon, or simply listen to 22 holiday favourites distinctively ring out from the top of the tower. Provincial Carilloneur Rosemary Laing climbs 75 steps and a 10-step ladder to reach her seat in front of the clavier.
Now through Jan. 7 the museum features Christmas in Old Town, with one of the facility's favourite displays altered with seasonal decorations from the era and a 4.5-metre Christmas tree. The display is included with admission to the museum. Visit royalbcmuseum.bc.ca for more details.
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