A celestial milestone is being marked by homemade foods, music, vendors and a parade of light on the darkest night of the year.
The winter solstice - the turning point in the earth's axial tilt towards the sun, and thus the marker separating autumn from winter - happens Friday. The Prince George Farmer's Market represents people who pay particular attention to the seasons, in order to grow and produce local goods for their own pleasure and for sale to the community. The market is opening its doors at a special time on Friday - 4:30 p.m. - to celebrate the agricultural year that was and look ahead to the gradually lengthening daylight for the rest of the year.
"Whether it is your local carrots, bread, honey or Christmas gifts that you wish to find, vendors will be ready for you," said key organizer Jovanka Djordjevich. "The Solstice Soiree marks the beginning of a season, a season that gives Prince George its character, its culture and deepens the fabric of community. Everyone is welcome to join in the celebration."
The Farmers Market is located at 1074 Sixth Avenue behind The Keg Restaurant. It is only a turnip's throw from City Hall and a sprig of distance from historic George Street where many other Solstice Soiree events will ensue Friday night once the market doors are open.
At 6 p.m. the downtown will be alight with sparks of winter spirit, starting at the plaza in front of the Civic Centre. The annual Lantern Walk will briskly meander through the downtown and arrive at City Hall for the next step in the night's events. At 6:30 an extravaganza begins there.
"There will be displays, local vendors, sing-a-longs, entertainment, snow sculptures to admire and create, and hot food and drink to enjoy, including hot mulled grape juice, hot chocolate, soups, breads and roasted chestnuts," Djordjevich listed off. There will also be kids activities both outside at City Hall and inside at the adjacent Youth Around Prince (YAP) Friends building where craft tables will be in use and the public library's storyteller extraordinaire Ruth Beuhler will be leading some live readings.
"At 7:15 p.m. the Embrace Winter Fashion Show, emceed by Andrea Palmer, will put a stylish spin on winter," said Djordjevich. "Of course, downtown retailers and restaurants are open, many of them late, and right next door to the solstice celebrations, Ohh...Chocolat will be open, because the comfort of winter is in a luxurious cup of hot chocolate."
For information, please contact Djordjevich at 250-564-3859.
