Chilliwack has the Rotary Christmas Parade.
Oak Bay has the Island Equipment Owners Association truck procession.
Now, the City of Port Coquitlam is getting in on the action with its own travelling light show.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, about 25 illuminated vehicles — including from the city’s own fleet, as well as from Coquitlam RCMP, the Port Coquitlam Fire Department, ACCESS Youth Society, Lafarge Canada and TransLink — will roll around downtown PoCo to celebrate the holidays.
Starting at 5 p.m. from the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.), the parade will head west on Kelly Avenue before going north on Shaughnessy Street, right on McAllister Avenue and returning to the civic facility via Mary Hill Road.
Road closures in downtown Port Coquitlam are in effect from 4:45 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Afterwards, visitors can walk to the Port Coquitlam Community Centre for some family fun, including arts and crafts, and a free skate from 6 to 7 p.m.
Hot chocolate and snacks will be served.
Mayor Brad West told the Tri-City News on Wednesday, Dec. 11, he hopes the Parade of Lights will become an annual tradition in PoCo much like the May Days festival, Canada Day and Remembrance Day.
“One of the things we’ve been working on is to increase the number of community events,” he said.
“The city has really upped its game with more Christmas lights in key areas like city hall, Shaughnessy Street and the northside […] because this is a very special time of the year, especially for the kids.”
West said he’s heard from many families planning to come to the downtown core on Saturday to make the event an evening out. Besides the local eateries, the city will also have two food trucks on site: S for Skewers and Shameless Buns.
West said the Downtown Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association (BIA) is promoting the inaugural Parade of Lights through its channels and encouraging downtown business owners to stay open.
“It’s a great way to bring the community together,” West said.
The Parade of Lights is sponsored by Tim Horton’s and Grip Auto.
CPKC Holiday Train
Meanwhile, the city is also planning another Christmas gathering for the community next week.
Port Coquitlam is the terminus for the cross-country CPKC Holiday Train, a musical journey and fundraiser for food banks.
For the 26th year, the brightly lit train will roll into the West Coast Express station on Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:05 p.m. featuring entertainment from Magic! and Sofia Camara, on board from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m.
Holiday train stops in Port Moody, Port Coquitlam on Dec. 20 🎄🚂 https://t.co/lI1toTLWNr
— Tri-City News (@TriCityNews) November 18, 2024
But before the wheels grind to a halt, visitors can go to the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.) where, from 5 to 7 p.m., city staff will screen The Grinch.
There will also be free arts and crafts, hot chocolate and popcorn for movie-goers.
And don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food or cash donation for the SHARE food bank.
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