VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.

VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
Christine White, of Pedal Box Gallery shows Maximus Juta, 4, the final look during Light Up festivities in Oak Bay. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)Christine White, of Pedal Box Gallery shows Maximus Juta, 4, the final look during Light Up festivities in Oak Bay. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)
Oak Bay village fills up ahead of the 2017 Light Up. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)Oak Bay village fills up ahead of the 2017 Light Up. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
Recreation Oak Bay hosts crafts in Oak Bay village ahead of the Light Up. Nov. 26. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)Recreation Oak Bay hosts crafts in Oak Bay village ahead of the Light Up. Nov. 26. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
Ethan McWilliam and Ryan Hagreen select greenery for a swag by Oak Bay Flower Shop during the festivities of Light Up. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)Ethan McWilliam and Ryan Hagreen select greenery for a swag by Oak Bay Flower Shop during the festivities of Light Up. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
VIDEO: Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up.
Oak Bay United Church volunteer Wendy Nesbitt helps Michaela Burke, 5, create a feel-good advent calendar during the family fun ahead of Oak Bay’s official Light Up Nov. 26. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)Oak Bay United Church volunteer Wendy Nesbitt helps Michaela Burke, 5, create a feel-good advent calendar during the family fun ahead of Oak Bay’s official Light Up Nov. 26. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)
Letters to Santa head for the mailbox on the lawn of municipal hall in Oak Bay. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)Letters to Santa head for the mailbox on the lawn of municipal hall in Oak Bay. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)

Oak Bay’s 17th annual Light Up kicked off the holiday season Sunday with games, music, Santa, and a downpour of rain on spirits that refused to be dampened by it. Singing and laughter echoed down the avenue as drenched crowds danced in the rain. The water did eventually force the live music to end in light of safety, but only after a great evening of celebration.

Kids craft stations, games and activities filled Oak Bay Avenue alongside a variety of street food including the longstanding tradition of roasted chestnuts outside Ottavio Italian Bakery. Paul Kilshaw, in another lengthy tradition, added magic and balloon twisting to the affair while Theatre SKAM shared much-loved Christmas stories in their Pop Up Theatre.

The lights went on at 5 p.m. followed by Santa Claus riding into the village on an Oak Bay fire truck. He hung around for photos afterward by donation benefitting the fire department’s purchase of nonessential equipment.


 

@OakBayNews
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com

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