The Maple Ridge Christmas Festival and parade are coming up, and more people are needed to fill the ranks of the small army of volunteers being recruited.
Putting on the Dec. 7 festival requires about 100 people, and many more are still needed. These people do things like set up barricades along the parade route, control traffic on the route, and set up tables and tents in the park – there are numerous jobs.
“We’re always looking for volunteers, and we’re always looking for donations,” said the event chair Dianne Enns.
“We have grown to one of the largest nighttime free events in western Canada.”
Last year and estimated 9,000 visitors came to the festival, and there were 45 entries in the parade. But it was a soggy night, and the year prior there were some 12,000 people, and 71 floats.
An orientation meeting will be held on Dec. 5, with volunteer orientation at 6:30 p.m. and parade orientation at 7:30 p.m. at the Maple Ridge library’s Fraser Room.
The festival runs from 4-8 p.m. in Memorial Peace Park (11925 Haney Pl.), and is remarkable in that everything is free. Parents can bring all their children for hot chocolate, smores, cookies, balloons and even family photos with Santa, all at no cost. There will also be hot dogs, by donation.
There will be entertainment on the bandstand ranging from St. Patrick’s church choir to The Johnson Brothers country act, a children’s craft tent, balloon animals and other family-based entertainment.
The parade begins at 6 p.m., running through the downtown area, with most of the viewing in the park.
Information
For information, to volunteer or to donate, see the website mapleridgechristmasfestival.com.
For volunteer information, email volunteer@mapleridgechristmasfestival.com.