Silver City Nite kicks off holiday season
By Llora McTeer
This year’s Silver City Nite, held Dec. 5, was by all accounts a spectacular success. The event continues to grow each year, and the city plans to continue the annual tradition well into the future, according to Andrea Jolly, City of Trail communication and events coordinator
With the milder weather the area has been experiencing, all attending organizations enjoyed larger crowds than in previous years:
“We’re happy to see so many people from the community participating especially with it being such a busy time of year,” Jolly said. “We really feel the weather helped, as there was no rain for any of the activities, unlike last year, when it was very cold and we had a lot of rain”.
The highlight of the day was, of course, Santa’s Candy Parade and this year, Santa was accompanied by Mrs. Clause. This year’s parade included 25 organizations, most of which handed out candy … but some got creative in their alternatives. The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, for example, handed out books and the Triple Threat Productions distributed fliers advertising their upcoming play ‘Shrek the Musical, Jr.’, being presented at the Charles Bailey Theatre Dec. 12.
“Silver City Nite and the Santa Parade are a great opportunity for local businesses and non-profits to let the community know what they’re about,” says Jolly.
The Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue hosted a marshmallow roast on the Esplanade, using the City’s new portable propane fire pits and the United Steel Workers Local 480 hosted a Hot Food Fundraiser and were actually sold out of Hot Dogs before the end of the day. This year’s fundraiser raised $600 for the Gordie Steep Sick Children Fund.
Other activities were held inside the old Liquidation World building and included the indoor market, organized by the Trail Chamber of Commerce. The first Saturday market was held during the Silver City Nite, and saw an increased turn out from last year as well. Fifty-four vendors showcased their wares upstairs, while downstairs the Trail Ambassadors – both current and hopefuls – lead crafts, face painting and story-telling.
“We really do need something for little kids to look forward to and the Ambassadors did a fabulous job keeping the young ones entertained,” Jolly said. “This year we also had BC Ambassador Rachel TeBulte from Castlegar help out with the crafts and face painting”.
Jolly said the city would like to thank the Chamber of Commerce for all the work that goes into the markets.
“The Chamber does a marvelous job, and we really want the community to know how much we appreciate the amount of time and effort that goes into organizing these events,” Jolly said.
There are two more indoor markets before Christmas – Dec. 12 and 19 from 12 to 4 p.m. The Chamber of Commerce has also opened up additional space in the basement of the building for any other vendors interested in participating. Anyone seeking more information can contact the chamber by calling 250-368-3144.
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