The holiday season kick-off in Invermere is a huge explosion of fun and good cheer for everyone – it’s called Light Up! And it’s a much anticipated tradition every year as the days grow shorter and the nights colder.

The theme for fo18 is “A Night at the North Pole.”

Snowball Drop Returns!!! The 2018 Snowball Drop will start off with a GUMBALL DROP for Children only and a second drop, SNOWBALL DROP for Adults only! Limit one ball per person (will not change this year). 3:00 pm in the Cenotaph at the Light Up event on November 17th, 2018.

It is through the generous donations of our local businesses that we can continue this activity and as part of Light Up this year and to have it grow! As 23 move forward preparing for this year’s event, we are thrilled to see the return of many of our wonderful businesses and ask that other local business consider joining them as supporters of the 2018 Snowball Drop and new this year, the Gumball Drop. Local businesses who wish to get involved can contact us at events@invermere.net or call 250-342-9281 ext. 1232.

Gumball Drop: Children Only!

The “children only” Gumball Drop will be very similar to the Snowball Drop for Adults. Business names will be written on a ball and the children will claim their prize in local businesses. Children may redeem their gumballs for prizes and discounts at participating businesses and restaurants with corresponding numbers throughout the Columbia Valley. After this drop children wills step aside and the Adult Snowball Drop begins!

Snowball Drop: Adults Only!

Each snowball (ping pong balls) will represent a specific discount, gift or prize from local businesses. Customers may redeem their snowballs for prizes and discounts at participating businesses and restaurants with corresponding numbers throughout the Columbia Valley.

Window Decorating Contest

Downtown Invermere businesses and those in surrounding areas are encouraged to decorate the windows of their business for Light Up on November 17th, 2018. Each window will reflect the theme “A Night at the North Pole.” Community members are encouraged to visit downtown during the Light Up event and to take a stroll to view these amazing window displays. Community members are also encouraged to head downtown to during the holiday season for local shopping, dining and entertainment! Our local businesses really do have it all! Interested businesses are required to register for the window decorating competition. Local businesses who wish to get involved can contact us at events@invermere.net or call 250-342-9281 ext. 1232. The winner will be announced at Light Up on November 17th in Cenotaph Park following the parade after 6pm.

Light Up Santa Claus Parade:

We hope to see groups of all ages participate in the Light Up parade this year. Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to use their imaginations to make this the best parade ever! The parade will begin at 6pm from Pothole Park, running along 7th ave in front of Parkside Place to the Eddie Memorial Arena. It will be dark, so everyone can see the all of the parade lights on the floats this year! Whether it be elves, animals, or snow related, all floats will reflect the theme “A night at the North Pole.” Santa Claus will be coming to town. He will of course be in the parade and will be on the last float!

All floats will be part of a fun Light Up competition. Parade floats will be judged to win a trophy that they get to keep in their business or organization for the entire year! Judges will come around and judge the floats prior to the parade. The winners will be announced in the Cenotaph after the parade!

Official Light Up:

After the parade, everyone is to gather in the Cenotaph as we turn on the town lights to the official ring into the holiday season! Window decorating contest and Parade float winners will be announced here. Join duo Dos Equis as they perform live Christmas and other music following the official lighting of the town lights!!

It’s Christmas!

Tentative schedule (as of October 31):

• 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  Mountain Hub Pop Up Market

• All Day
  Black Star Studios Fimo Christmas Ornaments- $5 to make an Ornament, no registration required.

• 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  Fort Steele Horse Drawn Wagon Rides- Road will be closed to traffic from Lordco to BMO. This will be free- thanks to the District of Invermere and Columbia Basin Trust for sponsoring this! Event goers can hop on and off at Maxwell Realty and Bicycle Works.

• 10AM- 4:00 PM
  Winter Holiday Market at Columbia Valley Centre

• Time TBA- Will be in the afternoon and will have a longer timeframe for photos this year! Photos with Santa at the Best Western- Presented by the Christmas Bureau at the West Western. $10 Donation goes to Christmas Bureau. Bring your own camera to take a photo with Santa!

• All Day
  Holiday Workshops at Crafty Cathy’s

• All Day
  Window Display Contest Viewing

• All Day
  Main Street Fun and Games Christmas Trivia and Hot Beverages
  Popcorn, Tea, Coffee and Christmas Music at The Trading Post Specialty Foods

• 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  Fire Pits and Treats on 7th Ave- Presented by the District of Invermere and local organizations!

• Time to be confirmed.
  Quality Bakery Cookie Decorating

• 3:00 PM
  Children’s Only “Gumball Drop”

• 5:30pm
  Adult’s Only “Snowball Drop”

• 5:30- Dos Equis live in the Cenotaph ( before parade and after parade)

• 6:00 PM
  Light Up Santa Claus Parade

• 6:45 PM ish ( after parade)
  Light Up in the Cenotaph
  Live music in the Cenotaph Featuring Dos Equis following official Lighting of town lights. Fire pit will be also located in the Cenotaph!

• 8:00 PM
  Holiday Movie at the Mountain Hub

Want to volunteer? Contact Cortney Pitts, Events Co-ordinator at the District of Invermere. Send an email to: events@invermere.net