Jingle Boat Express to return to the holiday seas this December!

Prince Rupert Adventure Tours' "Inside Passage" alongside the Atlin Terminal.
On December 4th the vessel will become the Jingle Boat Express for
four sailings with Santa around Prince Rupert Harbour

Santa Claus makes a return this year to a nautical theme in Prince Rupert, with a number of local organizations combining their resources to bring back the Dave Walker Jingle Boat Express this Holiday season.

The project finding the North Coast Literacy Now, Northern Savings Credit Union and the Prince Rupert Port Authority working together to add to the holiday spirit on the North Coast.

The sailing excursion aboard the Inside Passage last let go the lines in December of 2015, following the days of the Jingle Bell Express rail trip previous, those travels also hosted by Dave Walker on the short run that took excited youngsters and their parents/guardians to the North Pacific Cannery and back.

The growing number of trains rolling into the Port of Prince Rupert sidelined the Express for a bit, with the nautical version taking its place until its hiatus from 2016 - 2018.

The return to the harbour waters for 2019 is now set to carry Mr. Walker's name.

Four sailings are planned this year for Wednesday,  December 4th, with Santa and the Crew of the Inside Passage taking to the harbour at 10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM and 2 PM.

Filling out an entry at the Port Interpretive Centre at the Atlin Terminal
in Cow Bay is one option for those looking to enter the draw
for the opportunity to  purchase tickets for the
Dave Walker Jingle Boat Express in December

Due to high demand demonstrated previously, ticket purchase opportunities will only be available through a raffle draw.

With two options to enter the process of the raffle available.

The first through an online link from the Facebook event page for Sailings which is available here, which will enter your name in the draw for the opportunity to purchase tickets.

The second is to drop into the Port Interpretive Centre at the Atlin Terminal to fill out a raffle entry in person, with the Centre open Tuesday through Saturday from Noon to 3 PM.

The deadline to enter the raffle is November 15th.

Should your name be drawn, you will then have the opportunity to purchase a maximum of four tickets at five dollars per ticket. 

All of the sales of the tickets will be donated to the Salvation Army, which will use the funds to purchase gifts for local children in need.

The chance to revive the popular sailing with Santa has been something that three partners have been working on for a while now and all are quite excited as the days count down to December 4.

“The Prince Rupert Port Authority is happy to be a part of reviving something so special to the community this holiday season. It is encouraging to see local businesses and organizations joining together to contribute to the success of this popular event that gives families the opportunity to have a memorable experience on the water in the Prince Rupert Harbour.”  -- Shaun Stevenson, President & CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

 “As a locally-based credit union, the well-being and vibrancy of our communities is of great importance to Northern Savings. We are thrilled to play a leading role in bringing back this popular event, and look forward to providing some magical holiday memories for children and families.” -- Stefan Delloch, Vice President, Operations, of Northern Savings Credit Union.

"We are so excited to see the Jingle Boat Express return to Prince Rupert for children and families in our community. This event is so wonderful, the excitement of the season, Santa and getting so many families out on such an amazing boat in our beautiful harbour. We are honoured to be one of the lead sponsors and we are just thrilled that so many organizations come together to make this a reality in our community". -- Kate Toye, Outreach Coordinator of North Coast Literacy Now

Also lending a hand in bringing back what organizers hope will continue to be an annual tradition were: Prince Rupert Adventure Tours, Ridley Terminals Inc., DP World Prince Rupert, the Rotary Club of Prince Rupert, City West, RE/MAX, the District of Port Edward, for their contributions, as well as Tim Hortons and Good Time Games & Electronics.

If your group or organization would like to contribute to the project for this December contact Indira Smith at the Prince Rupert Port Authority  ismith@rupertport.com

For more notes on Community Events on the North Coast see our archive page here.