Christmas in Kamloops Part Two - 2022

948 Tranquille Road, Kamloops, BC V2B 3J5

Store Hours

Monday to Friday

Store Hours Monday to Friday

Phone: 250-376-5353

Fax: 250-376-8381

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Email: sales@gordskamloops.ca

948 Tranquille Road, Kamloops, BC V2B 3J5 Phone: 250-376-5353 Fax: 250-376-8381

Email: sales@gordskamloops.ca

9:00 am 5:30 pm Saturday 9:00 am 4:30 pm Sunday Closed

9:00 am 5:30 pm Saturday 9:00 am 4:30 pm Sunday Closed

CP HOLIDAY TRAIN

ROLLING INTO KAMLOOPS

— Dec 16 —

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will return to the rails this season on its first cross-continent tour in three years, following virtual concerts in the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. The train will again raise money, food and awareness for local food banks in communities along the CP network.

The beneficiary locally is the Kamloops Food Bank, with donations of food and cash urged for those attending the celebration. The CP Holiday Train is scheduled to pull in behind Sandman Centre on Friday, Dec. 16, at 4:45 p.m.

“I’m grateful to the CP team members who adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver two exceptional virtual Holiday Train shows and to all those who continued to donate while we kept community members safe,” said Keith Creel, CP’s president and chief executive officer. “The Holiday Train is all about families and communities coming together to celebrate the season and help those in need. We are excited to be back out on the rails and in our communities, taking these two beautiful trains across our network and sharing the joy that comes with gathering in the spirit of giving.”

The 2022 tour began on Nov. 23 with the Holiday

Train’s first-ever Maine shows in the communities Jackman, Brownville Junction and Hermon in the northeast U.S. state. Also for the first time, the Holiday Train hosted shows on Nov. 24 in Lac-Megantic, Sherbrooke and Farnham, Que., the first Canadian stops of 2022.

The tour will feature 168 live shows, with a full schedule is available at cpr.ca/holidaytrain. This year’s performers will include Alan Doyle, Tenille Townes, Mackenzie Porter and Lindsay Ell. Details about this year’s artists and which performers will play which shows are available at cpr.ca/holidaytrain.

Holiday Train shows are free to attend. CP asks attendees to bring a cash or non-perishable food donation if they’re able to do so. Local food shelves will set up collection stations at each event, with all donations made staying with the local food bank to help people in need in the community. Because local food shelves buy food at a discount, cash donations can go further than food donations to help those in need.

Since the Holiday Train program launched in 1999, it has raised more than $21 million and collected fivemillion pounds of food for community food banks across North America.

KAMLOOPS SENIORS’ LIGHT TOUR RETURNS

The annual event, postponed since 2019 due to the pandemic, will take place on Dec. 8

The City of Kamloops’ 46th annual Seniors’ Light Tour will take place on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Individuals ages 55 and older are invited to enjoy the free bus tour to see the best lights in the city.

After the tour, both the Kamloops Rube Band and the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron will provide live entertainment while hot beverages and holiday goodies are served at Sandman Centre. After the festivities, participants will be returned to their pickup location by bus.

“After a two-year interruption due to the pandemic, we are excited to be able to bring the community back together to celebrate the joy of the holiday season,” said Chelsea Fortin, the city’s Tournament Capital and events co-ordinator. “What started as a one-off event with two buses and fewer than 60 seniors has grown into a tradition with more than 600 seniors, 25 buses and close to 100 volunteers.”

In partnership with First Transit, a bus will pick up participants from more than 20 locations throughout the city. The event is free, but registration is required. To register, call 250-828-3500 or visit Kamloops. ca/SeniorsLightTour. Registration deadline is Thursday, Dec. 1.

Participants who require handyDART are encouraged to register for the service after they have registered for the lights tour with the city. To schedule a handyDART seat for the evening, phone BC Transit at 250376-7525.

Lend a hand

Volunteers are needed. Those interested in volunteering can visit Kamloops.ca/ SeniorsLightTour for information. A volunteer orientation session will take place at the Tournament Capital Centre on Monday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m.

Light up the route

Is your home or business on the tour route?

Residents along the tour route are encouraged to help the night by putting up some lights.

The tour route and bus pickup locations are available at Kamloops.ca/SeniorsLightTour

Add to our popular Christmas Lights Map

Kamloops This Week readers can help us fill the Christmas Lights Map so community members can plot out their tours this holiday season and enjoy the amazing creations that are slowly, but surely popping up from one end of the city to another.

The interactive map online at christmasinkamloops.ca has plenty of addresses that host noteworthy displays — and many of those addresses will be added by you and your fellow readers.

So, if you know of an address with a breathtaking display, go online to christmasinkamloops. ca/lights and help brighten up Christmastime travels for all.

And, while you are at christmasinkamloops.ca, check out the site’s many other features, including a sledding map, Christmas stories, local shopping suggestions, Christmas crafts, holiday recipes and much more.

CRAFT FAIR LIST

Kamloops This Week offers the last bit of a long list of craft fairs, bake sales and bazaars happening across the city as Christmas nears.

DECEMBER 10

Christmas Bazaar

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sahali Mall, 945 Columbia St. W2022

Artisan Holiday Market

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monte Creek Winery, 2420 Miner’s Bluff Rd., Monte Creek

Christmas Craft Fair & Artisan Market

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun Peaks Centre, 3200 Village Way, Sun Peaks

DECEMBER 11

Artisan Holiday Market

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monte Creek Winery, 2420 Miner’s Bluff Rd., Monte Creek

Christmas Craft Fair & Artisan Market

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun Peaks Centre, 3200 Village Way, Sun Peaks

WILDLIGHTS CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARY 25th

The 25th edition of Wildlights will again shine on the BC Wildlife Park in east Kamloops.

The popular event that features nearly one-million lights and assorted entertainment will run from Dec. 10 through Jan. 2, with Christmas Day being the only day the park will be closed.

“This will be a great Wildlights, back to where we were before COVID-19,” BC Wildlife Park executive director and general manager Glenn Grant said, noting between 22,000 and 25,000 people are expected to visit the park.

Wildlights will run each day from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., again with title sponsor MJB Lawyers helping the cause.

New this year will be Santa’s Village at the North Pole, a feature on the park’s Great Lawn that will include meeting the Jolly Old elf, fantastic photo opportunities and a chance to warm up next to a couple of propane fire pits. There will also be eight more fire pits farther back in the park, near the log cabin.

Old favourites of Wildlights will also be featured, including the Canadian Tire

Kamloops Holiday Gazebo, endless light displays, the 250-foot Tunnel of Lights, Uncle Chris the Clown and a 20-foot-tall outdoor light tree.

Grant said one of those old favourites will include something new as the Tunnel of Lights will be constructed with a greenhouse frame, rather than with PVC piping as in the past.

In addition, the popular Wildlife Express miniature train will be operating nightly from 5 p.m., with the last run at about 8:30 p.m. Train tickets are $1 each (cash only) and can be purchased at the train station.

For Wildlights ticket information, go online to bcwildlife.org. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door. The park is at 9077 Dallas Dr. Money raised via Wildlights is used to support the BC Wildlife Park through the winter, with funds generated covering the costs of food and care for the nearly 200 permanent resident animals, the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre patients and the burrowing owls in the famous breeding program.

The BC Wildlife Park is a non-profit organization and registered charity founded in 1965.

The park is home to nearly 200 animals and 65 different species that are native to British Columbia, including cougars, bears, wolves, reptiles, birds of prey and the only Kermode bear in human care in the world.

Many of the animals at the park have been rescued or were orphaned and are unable to survive on their own in the wild.

The BC Wildlife Park accredited by Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums.

In partnership with the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society, the BC Wildlife Park has been working toward saving the burrowing owls from extirpation since 1992. Park staff are the largest and most successful breeders in the world.

The BC Wildlife Park also operates the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre, which is dedicated to the rehabilitation of orphaned and injured wildlife. As the only full-service wildlife rehabilitation centre in the Southern Interior, the health centre accepts more than 500 animals annually from across the province.

The Welcome Winter Block Party is returning to downtown Kamloops.

The event is organized by the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (also known as Downtown Kamloops) and presented by Dearborn Ford.

The Welcome Winter Block Party will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10, from noon to 7 p.m. in the 300-block of Victoria Street. Shopping, good food, drinks, family fun, giveaways and more will be featured.

“We’ve been apart from neighbours and friends for too long,” KCBIA executive director Howie Reimer said. “This is a great way to reconnect with community and get caught up in the holiday spirit downtown. So, bundle up and join us for a bite and some holiday cheer before you

head to the Blazers’ Teddy Bear Toss.”

The popular Teddy Bear Toss will be held later on Dec. 10 when the Kamloops Blazers host the Victoria Royals, with faceoff set for 7 p.m.

The KCBIA has signed a three-year partnership with Dearborn Ford to bring the Welcome Winter Block Party back to life.

“Dearborn is very excited to help bring back the Welcome Winter Block Party to Kamloops this year and years to come,” Dearborn Ford community manager Maddie Bedard said. “We are hoping to bring families and our community together this holiday season.”

More information on vendors and other aspects of the event will be released prior to Dec. 10.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS Silent Night

Written

by Joseph

Mohr, 1792 – 1848

Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night! Son of God love’s pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face With dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

Carol of the Bells

Written by Mykola Leontovych, 1877 – 1921

Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away

Christmas is here, bringing good cheer, to young and old, meek and the bold,

Ding dong ding dong that is their song with joyful ring all caroling

One seems to hear words of good cheer from everywhere filling the air

Jingle Bells

Written by James Lord Pierpont, 1822 – 1893

Dashing through the snow

On a one horse open sleigh O’er the fields we go, Laughing all the way Bells on bob tail ring, making spirits bright What fun it is to laugh and sing A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one horse open sleigh

A day or two ago, I thought I’d take a ride, And soon Miss Fanny Bright

Was seated by my side; The horse was lean and lank Misfortune seemed his lot We got into a drifted bank, And then we got upsot.

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!

Oh, What fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh. Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!

Oh how they pound, raising the sound, o”er hill and dale, telling their tale, Gaily they ring while people sing songs of good cheer, Christmas is here,

Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas, Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas, On on they send, on without end, their joyful tone to every home Dong Ding dong ding… dong! Bong!

Oh, What fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh.

Now the ground is white Go it while you’re young Take the girls tonight And sing this sleighing song Just get a bob tailed bay two-forty as his speed Hitch him to an open sleigh And crack! you’ll take the lead

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!

Oh, What fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh. Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!

Oh, What fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

Away in a Manger

Written by William James Kirkpatrick, 1838 – 1921

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head, The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay Close by me for ever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with you there.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Written

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807 –

1882 Music

by John Baptiste Calkin,

1827 – 1905

I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play And mild and sweet their songs repeat Of peace on Earth, good will to men

And the bells are ringing (peace on Earth) Like a choir they're singing (peace on Earth) In my heart I hear them (peace on Earth) Peace on Earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head "There is no peace on Earth, " I said For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on Earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing (peace on Earth) Like a choir singing (peace on Earth) Does anybody hear them? (Peace on Earth) Peace on Earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep God is not dead, nor doth He sleep (Peace on Earth) The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on Earth, good will to men

Then ringing, singing on its way The world revolved from night to day A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on Earth, good will to men

And the bells, they're ringing (peace on Earth) Like a choir they're singing (peace on Earth) And with our hearts, we'll hear them (peace on Earth) Peace on Earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells, they're ringing? (Peace on Earth) The light, the angels singing (peace on Earth) Open up your heart and hear them (peace on Earth) Peace on Earth, good will to men

Peace on Earth Peace on Earth Peace on Earth, good will to men

GOAL: RIH

Raise $1million dollars to improve the ICCHA-WISH Coronary Care Unit at RIH by providing state of the art diagnostic catheterization lab in Kamloops so that our cardiac patients can be better managed locally and limit the traumatic journey to Kelowna or Lower Mainland.

GOAL: TRU

Raise $1 million dollars to establish the ICCHA-WISH Community Education Centre at Thompson Rivers University. Local students who cannot afford the education to become a nurse will be awarded a full 4 year scholarship to become a nurse and serve our community.