The celebration of the holiday season begins in Pitt Meadows this Friday, with A Pitt Meadows Christmas.
The event goes from 6-8 p.m. at Spirit Square.
A Pitt Meadows Christmas was held for the first time in 2008, with about 400 enthusiastic people attending. This year, city organizers are expecting the crowd to be approximately 3,500.
The eighth annual community celebration will see a countdown to lighting the city Christmas tree, an ice sculpture display, live music, entertainment, roving Christmas characters, family crafts, holiday treats and photos with Santa Claus.
“This year’s event includes all the fun that citizens have come to love about A Pitt Meadows Christmas,” said special events coordinator Terra Dickinson.
“From the big countdown to light up the big tree in Spirit Square and visiting Santa, to crafts and activities and holiday refreshments, there’s lots of fun for families to come and enjoy, as well as a few new surprises.”
Entertainers will come from the Showstoppers Performance Academy, who train children in the arts of musical theatre, and Maple Ridge duo Red Velvet Music.
There will also be a coloring contest, and the annual Christmas tree decorating contest. Organizations are invited to enter the tree decorating competition, and all entries will be on display at the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre. The community will vote for the winning entry.
Information will also be available at the event about a Christmas lights contest, with a winner announced in January.
“This is the city’s first celebration under the independent parks and recreation department, so we’re excited to see everything coming together with the hard work of our staff,” said city chief administrative officer Mark Roberts.
The city is planning a review of special events and will be seeking public input. A survey will be available at A Pitt Meadows Christmas and online at pittmeadows.bc.ca, and residents are encouraged to participate.