The Vankleek Hill Parade of Lights takes place this Friday, November 30. The parade departs from Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute at 7 p.m.
But the fun begins before that with a fundraiser bake sale at The Review offices from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Organized by the Vankleek Hill Business and Merchant Association (BMA), 70 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to the Vankleek Hill Food Bank, with 30 per cent going to the Vankleek Hill BMA.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., children are invited to stop by The Review offices to write their letters to Santa. Children can take their letters with them to the parade, or leave them with Review staff, who will be sure to mail them to the North Pole.
Just down the street at the Champlain Library, there are “Pre-Parade” between 5:30 and 7:00 pm. An English reading of “The Night Before Christmas” will take place at 5:30 pm and the reading in French at 6:00 pm. There will also be a children’s Christmas craft available to do during that time.
The library’s Christmas tree will be up and decorated for the occasion. Children are encouraged to come into the library to keep warm, listen to stories and do a craft until the parade starts.
Floats for the parade of lights should be at the Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute parking lot by 6 p.m. The theme for this year’s parade is, “Santa’s Favourite Village”.
Hillcrest Funeral Home will be serving hot chocolate outside The Review offices at 76 Main Street East before and during the parade.
After the parade, Santa will get off his sleigh and will be in the Philip Arber Memorial Park (at the main intersection) to visit with children.
November 30 is also the deadline to bring in your donated books for the Book on Every Bed campaign. The books will be supplied to children whose families are recipients of Christmas baskets from the Vankleek Hill and L’Orignal Food Banks. For more information call the Champlain Library at 613-678-2216 or visit www.bc-cl.ca.
