Explore: Santa parade hits road; Vikes Amazing Race; nativity in Sidney

Lighted floats, community groups and Santa himself will all be in the parade lineup Saturday in downtown Victoria.

The Island Farms Santa’s Light Parade begins at 5 p.m. at Government and Belleville streets, and continues to Government and Chatham streets. Last year was the first with the 5 p.m. start.

The parade, now in its 37th year, switched from a daytime affair to an after-dark event in 1998, thanks to the efforts of the late Ron Butlin. It’s billed as Canada’s largest lighted parade, and last year was made up of 75 entries and about 20 floats.

As has become a parade tradition, donations of money and non-perishable food will be collected from the crowd for the Mustard Seed Street Church. Mustard Seed spokeswoman Janiene Boice said the contributions made at the parade come at a crucial time of year.

“In the months of November and December, we raise 70 per cent of our annual funds, as well as 40 per cent of our annual food donations,” Boice said. “The events that kick off the season of giving like this parade are a big deal for us.

“We really appreciate it, for sure.”

Last year’s parade brought in about 3,630 kilograms of food.

Donations are collected by volunteers who walk along the parade route and deposit them in a Mustard Seed van. This year, Island Savings Credit Union is supplying volunteers to assist the Mustard Seed crew.

Boice said the Mustard Seed also participates in the parade by decorating one of its trucks.

As well, the Mustard Seed will be part of festivities from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at Centennial Square, which is where Santa will be heading after the parade to hand out free milk and cookies. The square’s holiday lights will be switched on at 7 p.m.

Parade stalwart Rob Galey of Galey Farms is at the helm of two entries, including the Island Farms float that will carry Santa.

Work on that float and two others under the Galey Farms banner has been underway since last Friday.

“We’ve been going on it pretty hard,” he said. “There’s seven of us.”

Galey said the float-making has come during a busy time on the farm.

Fields are plowed at this time of year and there were plenty of potatoes that had to be graded for sale.

“We’re doing our best to make a good show for the kids.”

Last year’s joint effort combining Galey Farms and Stages Dance Company is back, with dancers performing a Polar Express piece between a Galey Farms candy-factory-themed float and a second float featuring an ice sculpture. The dancers’ music will come from sound systems on the two floats.

Metchosin, East Sooke artists showcase their work

In the summer, when the weather is nice, you can visit members of the Stinking Fish Studio Tour at home, in their natural environments.

But this time of year, when the rain arrives, it’s easier to see the artists and their works all in one place during their group show at the Metchosin Community Hall, 4401 William Head Rd.

The annual event, which runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., showcases paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, woodworking and other works by artists from Metchosin and East Sooke.

“Anybody who has any interest in any kind of art is going to find something of interest there,” said Ann Semple, a ceramic artist and the show’s co-ordinator.

“All of us like to talk and explain what we do, why we do it and why it’s fun.”

According to its website, the oddly named artists’ collective draws its moniker from an Indigenous translation of Metchosin, which means “stinking fish.”

Vikes Amazing Race raises funds for United Way

If you’re at the University of Victoria campus today, you might find yourself on the receiving end of a small kindness, part of the Vikes’ effort to raise money for the United Way.

Varsity athletes, men’s and women’s teams, will form special teams for what the athletic department calls “The Vikes Amazing Race,” as part of an annual UVic fundraising drive.

“The athletes will be running around campus just doing random acts of kindness, such as opening a door for someone or passing out a cup of hot chocolate,” said Hanna Kim, campaign assistant.

The annual drive, with a slogan this year of “Show Your Local Love,” runs until Dec. 15, with a goal of raising $275,000.

The campaign has invited members of various local causes that receive money from United Way to speak about their work.

The UVic campaign also relies on other events and sales.

There’s the popular Samosa Sale by the co-operative education and career department.

Until Dec. 1, the McPherson Library will sell donated used books (no textbooks or academic journals).

And on Sunday, engineering students pushed an old VW around the UVic Ring Road for hours non-stop in the annual Bug Push.

But for sheer hilarity and good spirits, the UVic Plasma Car Race that ran on Nov. 6 is always huge, says Rachael Scarth, associate vice-president research and campaign chairwoman.

“It just seems to bring out the best in people, trying to sit and operate little cars designed for children,” Scarth said.

“It’s definitely harder than it looks.”

12th annual nativity event comes to Sidney church

Step back in time to experience the Christmas nativity story once again in Sidney.

The 12th Annual Sidney Nativity Exhibit, “Come Let Us Adore Him,” is open Nov. 26 to Dec. 4 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Enjoy hundreds of nativities from around the world before the commercial rush of Christmas begins.

Visitors can walk through a gym decorated as the market streets of Bethlehem, enhanced by soft music and hundreds of twinkling lights.

There’s a White Room, featuring only white, crystal and glass nativities, the stable and two new rooms this year depicting both vintage and modern nativities.

In the chapel will be one-to-two-minute video presentations with selected scenes from the nativity story, accompanied by music provided by artists such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Ceramics, art, needlework and crafts depict the birth of Christ through traditional and non-traditional displays from many countries, including Israel, Germany, Norway, Mexico, Japan, France, Italy, African nations, the U.S. and Canada.

There are exhibits by local artists and crafts and a nativity hunt for children. Admission is free. The event is wheelchair accessible and offers free parking.

  Oceans camp at Maritime Museum  

Students ages six to 11 who are off school for a teachers’ professional-development day on Friday can spend the day at the Maritime Museum of B.C.’s Pro D-Day Camp.

The 9 a.m.-4 p.m. camp is called Wonderful Oceans, and is limited to 10 participants.

The students will learn about environmental issues such as the effects of oil spills and how to reuse plastic bags so fewer find their way to the ocean. They also get to create ocean-themed arts and crafts.

Snacks are included, but students should bring their own lunches, and since some of the activities will be outside, they should be dressed for the weather.

For museum members, the cost is $45 per student. Children of non-members pay $55.

The drop-off for the day is at the museum at Nootka Court, 634 Humboldt St., from 8:45-9 a.m. Pickup will be from 4-4:15 p.m.

The museum is in about 3,000 square feet in Nootka Court, which is where it went after leaving its former home in B.C.’s historic first courthouse in Bastion Square, in 2015.

Most of its 35,000-artifact collection are now in climate-controlled storage.