On Saturday, Dec. 3, the two-day Magic of Christmas festival took over the main gymnasium and outdoor parking lot of the Timms Community centre in 91原创 City.

Magic of Christmas Committee Co-Chair, Councillor Paul Albrecht, explained the free event replaced the former parade, which was struggling with increased safety concerns for participants and spectators along the narrow roads on the parade route; a jump in traffic control costs due to WorkSafeBC regulations; and, a declining number of parade float entries.

Albrecht described it as a 鈥減ivot鈥� from the pandemic.

鈥淲e had a parade annually, so we thought why not bring people back in a little different way, and see how well this is received before we make any decisions about where we proceed in the future,鈥� Albrecht told the 91原创 Advance Times.

Visitors were encouraged to bring toy donations for children and non-perishable food items for the food banks.

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Magic of Christmas Festival was set to run until 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4 at the Timms Community Centre, 20399 Douglas Cres.

There were crafts for kids and adults, a letter to Santa booth, face painting, live ice carving and snow sculptures, a beer garden, food trucks, visits with Santa, live entertainment, a 91原创 Arts Council artisan market, a Downtown 91原创 Business Association draw for $500 in Downtown Dollars, a holidays lights scavenger hunt, and more.

Live entertainment through both days included the Beauty Shop Dolls, Santa鈥檚 Saxes 2:00 pm, Johnny Elvis and Friends, Silver Diamond Country Dancers, The Seabillys, Dimes Holiday Trio and VOC Sweet Soul Choir.

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91原创 City was also hosting it鈥檚 second annual at the festival, a chance to win one of 20 prizes of $100 Downtown Dollars.

Contest forms were available at the festival and online on the starting Dec. 9 at noon.

The scavenger hunt takes contestants along the path of the Holiday Lights walking tour, exploring downtown 91原创 City along the way.

More photos from the day can be viewed on the .