With the abundance of Christmas craft fairs, holiday events and traditions on the horizon, it’s clear that Christmas time is here. Add carolling to the mix and it’s the perfect seasonal recipe.
The 65th Annual Rotary Christmas Carol Festival returns to the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Dec. 2 and 3.
“Through the support of generous local sponsors and volunteers from the Rotary Club of Vernon, the Carol Festival’s net proceeds go directly to the Breakout for Seniors”, said festival chair Klaus Grieser of the popular pre-Christmas tradition in Vernon, which has been around since 1952.
This season’s special guest entertainer and headliner will be Brandon Schmor. The Carol Festival enables the Rotary Club of Vernon to provide a venue for the many talented singers in the North Okanagan and to provide partial financial support for the annual Spring Breakout for Seniors held every March. The breakout is a free dinner and dance with entertainment and live music organized for over 500 local seniors.
The three concerts are Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. Admission is by cash donation. Entertainment will be provided by more than 20 groups, including a cross-section of local children’s, church and community choirs, as well as musicians and vocal ensembles.
Since it was chartered in 1925, the Vernon Rotary Club has sponsored community assets such as the Rotary Pier; student scholarships and improvements to local historical sites, museums, parks and playgrounds. More recent projects include Vernon Regional Hospital Tower of Care, Salvation Army Food Bank, Hospice House and North Okanagan Neurological Association.
The Rotary Club of Vernon has participated in and made contributions to Rotary International projects such as polio eradication, Haiti earthquake relief, peace and reconciliation, women’s health and global access to clean water. Visit www.rotary.org and www.endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.
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