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Drive-through holiday light and music show at Ogden Point already a hit

A drive-through light and music show planned for Ogden Point over the holiday season is ­proving so popular that ­organizers are already considering extending the experience into January.
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Rendering of a Christmas drive-in light and music show planned for Ogden Point over the holiday season. Illustration courtesy of Victoria Wonderland

A drive-through light and music show planned for Ogden Point over the holiday season is ­proving so popular that ­organizers are already considering extending the experience into January.

Victoria Wonderland is touted as a spectacular light and musical experience where families can stay in their ­vehicles for a slow drive with sights and sounds along the pier and through a large warehouse and the parking lot at Ogden Point.

The launch of online ticket sales Wednesday ­morning was so busy, it crashed the system, ­according to organizers. The site is expected to be operational again this morning with about half the tickets sold.

The event is scheduled to run from Dec. 7 to 31 with six shows a day and 50 cars per show, at a flat rate of $40 per vehicle on weekdays and $50 per ­vehicle on weekends. It will take about 25 minutes for each vehicle to ­complete the tour.

A portion of the proceeds will go to local charities.

Mike Wilson of tech firm Transcend ­Victoria, which is ­producing the light and laser show with Michael Heid of Sigma-1 Productions and ­entrepreneur Graham Meckling, said Victoria ­Wonderland will likely be extended into January, considering the demand for ­tickets is so strong this early.

“It’s been a mad scramble organizing it and we think it’s a great way to have a safe holiday,” said Wilson.

He said while Ogden Point is a “challenging site” to stage the event, since it is prone to wind gusts, it has its advantages, too. “I think it will be exciting, even in stormy weather, with waves crashing against the pier,” said Wilson. “It will be uniquely ­Victoria.”

Wilson said Sigma-1 ­Productions normally provide svisuals for concerts and other large public events, but has been sidelined during the ­pandemic. Similar vehicle-only ­holiday tours have taken place in the U.S. ­even before COVID.

Eight staff are preparing the Victoria show and another 20 will be employed to operate it during December.

Meckling, who started such restaurants as the Livet and Stage Wine Bar, said with many of ­Victoria’s favourite holiday events and gatherings cancelled this year due to the pandemic, organizers wanted to bring a “completely safe and truly ­spectacular gift of hope and joy” to the city.

“As our guests drive through an electric ­extravaganza, they will be presented with thousands of lights and immersive visuals, invoking feelings of holiday togetherness and cheer,” said Meckling, who hopes it will become an annual fixture at Christmas.

Wilson said people will be able to stream the show’s music inside their vehicles as they drive through.

Optional add-ons include a gift bag with treats and items provided by the event’s ­sponsors, 3D glasses and an opportunity to sponsor thermal long johns for Victoria’s homeless.

Benefiting charities include Power to Be, ­Victoria Hospice, Make a Wish Foundation and Victoria’s Women’s Transition House.

All tickets and add-ons must be purchased online via VictoriaWonderland.com.

dkloster@timescolonist.com