Parade story by Kim Restall    (photos by Mary P. Brooke)  |         Last update: Dec.5, 2009 

The first annual Sooke Spirit Festival kicked off its December 5th festivities with the opening of parade concessions and shopping at 1:30 p.m., followed by the annual Santa Clause Parade at 2:30 p.m. The festival was hosted by the Sooke Harbour Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit #37 Sooke and the District of Sooke. According to the Chamber website they hope that the festival will encourage local Christmas shopping and bring tourists to Sooke to do likewise -- for today and the rest of the holiday shopping season -- thereby “putting Sooke shopping and business on the map”.

“There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by taking part in the Sooke Spirit Festival,” boasted the Sooke Spirit Fest website. It appears that suggestion resonated with many in the Sooke community as crowds lined Sooke Road under bright skies, pouring past the sidewalks and out onto the road as they waited for the parade to start. The faint sounds of the Sooke Pipes and Drums signaled the beginning of the parade and as the music became louder, people were able to catch a glimpse of the marching musicians. Excited children crept as far out onto the road as they dared, straining to see: “Here they come!” one child called out.

The rousing Scottish pipe music was followed by the Sooke Sea Cadets marching proudly along in their striking uniforms. F.A.M.E Sooke music representatives cruised by in a vintage Cadillac, bringing appreciative comments from the crowd. The parade progressed with floats from Western Speedway, the EMCS Wolverines football team, Posh Paws, Sooke Flower House, Sooke Baptist Church, the Sooke Fire Department and much more. Accompanying the floats was a festive array of Christmas characters, little elves, adorably costumed dogs, and even a man on stilts weaving through the crowds! Christmas music filled the air as parade participants dressed in holiday costumes made their way through the crowds handing out Christmas treats and shouting “Merry Christmas!”

The community spirit was evident as people crowded closer, melding with the floats as they slowly passed. Names and greetings were shouted out excitedly as members of the crowd recognized friends and family in the parade.

Rounding up the end of the parade, for the magical finale, was a very jolly Santa Clause. He came into view as he was pulled down the street in his sleigh shouting his familiar “ho, ho, ho” and waving at the delighted children in the crowd. Once Santa and the other floats disappeared from view the crowds began to disperse as people chatted about their enjoyment of the parade, while some headed towards the tents housing games for the children and warm food and beverages for sale, with all proceeds going to support local charities. Other people appeared to head through the town centre presumably for Christmas shopping, or to the Reading Room Café to visit with Father Christmas.   MM
 

Submit your your Dec. 5 event photos to the Sooke Spirit Fest photo contest (plus any photos of the tall lit-up tree in town centre from any night up to Dec.23). 

First prize = $25 from The Edge Restaurant. 

Second prize = $20 from The Stick Coffee House.

Send jpeg images by December 23, 2009 to: contest@maplelinemagazine.com