Full weekend ahead as Prince Rupert celebrates Winter Fest

Friday night will see the lights come at the Prince Rupert Court House
Lawn as Winterfest 2019 puts the North Coast into the Holiday spirit 

The holiday season gets its launch this Friday night as Prince Rupert's Special Events Society rolls out two days of events to celebrated the 2019 edition of Winterfest

Friday

Heading into its 23rd year the winter festival will start off with the Tree Decorating Contest at the Rupert Square Mall with the wave after wave of young people arriving at the Mall between 10 AM and 3PM

Good Times Games is hosting a Pokemon event from 2:30 to 5:30, with Gingerbread Decorating is on the menu at Cowpuccino's from 5:3-6:30PM

The Main event of Day One comes at at the Prince Rupert Court House lawn at 6:30 with the Festival of Trees takes place, with music, carolling and the launch of the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign all part of the night which sees the lights to the Court House display turned on.

Good Times Games hosts an evening session of Friday Night games from 6 to 9:30 with a ten dollar admission charge.

Many of Prince Rupert's shops will get into the holiday spirit remaining open into Friday evening to help get shoppers in the Christmas mood.

Saturday

A full day of activities have been lined up for Day Two starting with Breakfast and Photos with Santa at the United Church from 8 to 11 AM, Breakfast comes with a fee of four or six dollars, Photos are by donation.

The Winterfest Craft and Gift Fair takes place at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre from 10 to 5 PM

Third Avenue West is the route for the Santa Claus Parade which travels from First to Eighth Street starting at 11 AM, Hot Chocolate after the parade can be found at Fraser Street and Third at Save On Foods.

St. Andrew's Cathedral will be hosting a Fall Tea and Bazaar from 11 AM to 2PM 

From 1 to 4 PM the Museum of Northern British Columbia is hosting Bella Artes a Winter crafts program for children and accompanying adults.

The day's events shift to the Civic Centre from 2 to 6 PM with a Free Winterfest Swim at the Early Mah Aquatic Centre from 2 to 4 PM, while the Civic Centre Rink features a Free Skate with a donation for the Food Bank from 4 to 5:45 PM

The Chili's On over at the Wheelhouse with the Winterfest Chili Cook Off from 4 until 8 PM, a fourteen dollar charge gives you the chance to sample the work of the chefs as well as to wash it down with a beverage, the proceeds will go to the winning chef's charity choice.

The 37th edition of the Christmas Sailpast takes place from 6:30 to 8PM, with some prime viewing space available at Mariner's park where there will be commentary, hot chocolate and cookies.

Weather permitting the night sky comes alive over the Prince Rupert harbour with the Winterfest Fireworks display at 8PM

An the night wraps up for those over 19 with the Wheelhouse Vinyl Night from 8 PM to 1AM


You can keep up to date on the weekend's events and who is sponsoring them, as well as to learn more about the Special Events Society from their Facebook page and website.

For more items of note on Community Events on the North Coast see our archive page.