Saturday November 21, 2020 | SOOKE, BC
by Mary Brooke, editor | Island Social Trends
Santa is getting half the usual exposure in Sooke this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The annual Sooke Santa Parade is on pause this year due to the public health requirements during the pandemic. Initially, the Sooke Lions Club (which organizes the event) was planning to do a stationary parade where folks could drive through, but in the end that was also cancelled, says Steve Lawrence of the Sooke Lions.
The parade normally winds its ways through town centre, including the roundabout area between the town’s two major shopping malls, setting a tone of festivity for the season.
Meanwhile, the Sooke Santa Run — a loud and flashy event of decorated fire trucks winding their way through town for the delight of children and families — will be on again this year. But no food donations will be collected this year. Donations will be accepted online through a GoFundMe page that was posted on November 12 (which as of November 21 has collected $845 toward a $15,000 goal).
Organized by the Sooke Firefighter’s Association and IAFF Local 4841, the Sooke Santa Run event on the evening of Saturday December 12 has a goal of supporting 400 local families with Sooke Christmas Bureau (Sooke Food Bank) hampers and holiday things.
See other holiday season activities and meetings on the Island Social Trends events page.
