Christmas is a time for bringing together family and friends, and that’s the case in Enderby.
Enderby Traditional Christmas runs from Friday to Sunday, and the various activities bring the entire community together.
“It’s really well attended,” said Judy Dangel, one of the organizers.
“It’s the start of the Christmas season.”
The main focus of the festivities is Friday, with a shopping spree and draw from 4 to 8 p.m. as well as the Kris Kringle Market on Cliff Avenue from 4 to 8 .m.
That will then be followed by the annual Christmas parade on Cliff Avenue, and the highlight will be Santa Claus, who always takes a break from his busy North Pole workshop to visit.
“He spends quite a bit of time in Enderby which the kids appreciate,” said Dangel.
The parade will then be followed by celebrations at the Enderby Chamber of Commerce office at 7 p.m. They will include hot dogs and hot chocolate by the Enderby Lions, soup donated by local restaurants, hayrides, a bonfire and a live nativity.
The action then shifts to Saturday, with hourly shopping sprees and draws from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m,. at participating businesses. There will also be pictures with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon at the legion hall as a fundraiser for the Enderby and District Community Resource Centre.
From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., get ready for the chili cook-off at the legion hall.
“Last year, they had about eight entries,” said Dangel.
Chili samples will be available and funds will go towards the grads at A.L. Fortune Secondary.
And from Friday to Saturday, there will be a gingerbread house competition at the Enderby Arts Council meeting room. Entries must be dropped off by 4 p.m. Thursday at Thistle Do Nicely.
Residents can also attend Because of Bethlehem, a Christmas musical, at Enderby Evangelical Chapel Saturday at 6:30 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.
The wrap-up to the weekend is the annual community dinner Sunday at the Splatsin Community Centre.
“You need to reserve a spot for that,” said Dangel.
The doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner at 5:45 p.m., with about 250 people anticipated.
Reservations can be made by calling 778-443-2875.
Residents are also being reminded of another Christmas tradition in Enderby — the church walk.
The Dec. 10 candlelight event starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Catholic Church.
“There are four churches involved and each church does a 15-minute presentation.” said Dangel.