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I’m of the opinion that as soon as the calender rolls over to November 1st, anything and everything Christmas-related is fair game. Apart from red paper cups of coffee drinks and stores lining their shelves with Christmas decorations, the best part is seeing each and every town preparing to celebrate in their own way. Whether it’s an annual Christmas lights display or Santa’s arrival, Island towns know how to do it right.

As kids start to countdown the days, so too will I be counting down to Santa’s early arrival. Christmas parades are a vibrant part of that tradition on the Island – here are a few to look out for!

Santa Claus Parade – Port Hardy
Sunday, December 4, 4:00 p.m.
Santa’s stop on the North Island finds him at Carrot Park to help spread Christmas cheer with the annual Christmas tree lighting following the parade.

Photo: Boris Mann on Flickr

Campbell River Christmas Parade – Campbell River
Friday, December 2, 5:00 p.m.
This community tradition continues – complete with the Big Truck parade and Christmas tree lighting – features loads of fun-filled live entertainment!

Comox Valley Christmas Parade – Courtenay
Sunday, November 27, 2:00 p.m.
This year’s theme of “Fairy Tales Do Come True” is sure to inspire creative and colourful floats to charm kids both big and small.

Parksville Santa Claus Parade – Parksville/Qualicum
Saturday, December 3, 5:00 p.m.
With each year promising to be bigger than the last, this year’s Santa Claus parade is gearing up to be a true community-wide event.

Breakfast With Santa – Ucluelet
Saturday, December 10, 10:00 a.m.
Why watch him go by on a float when you can nosh on flapjacks with Santa himself? This annual tradition is held at the Ucluelet Community Centre.

Photo: North Island Film Commission on Flickr

Nanaimo Lions’ Christmas Parade – Nanaimo
Saturday, November 26, 1:00 p.m.
Bundle up for a chilly afternoon of Christmas cheer, winding up in Diana Krall Plaza with musicians and a chance to meet Santa!

Festival of Lights – Ladysmith
Thursday, November 24, 6:30 p.m.
Long known for its sparkling displays, Santa will help light up the Town of Ladysmith before the Kinsmen Parade makes its way along First Avenue.

Main Street Parade – Duncan
Saturday, December 10, 5:00 p.m.
Curious and crafty, Main Street in Duncan transforms into a heritage-inspired Winter Wonderland for its annual parade.

Photo: Nick on Flickr

Island Farms Santa’s Light Parade – Victoria
Saturday, November 26, 5:45 p.m.
Downtown Victoria’s sidewalks will be lined with this cherished annual event featuring Saint Nicholas himself!

Does your Island community have a Christmas event I didn’t mention here? Send me an e-mail and let me know!

Anyone that knows me knows just how much I adore autumn. To me it is the new year, the shedding of the old and the creation of a clean slate. More than just a time of transformation, it’s a time for beauty. Crunchy orange leaves, the delicate scent of smoke puffing out of chimneys along the Old Island Highway, warm mugs of tea and the comfort of a scarf bundled around my neck are all soothing elements of this time of year.

To celebrate a season that is no less stunning than the others on Vancouver Island, I wanted to take a quick peek at the photos your fellow Islanders have captured over the last couple of months…

Photo: Harold on Flickr

Photo: Arnaud DG on Flickr

Photo: Vancouver Island University on Flickr

Photo: Michel van den Bogaard on Flickr

Photo: Stephen Bentsen on Flickr

Photo: Librarychik on Flickr

Photo: Evan Leeson (Ecstaticist) on Flickr

Photo: Mark Ziubinski on Flickr

Photo: van Leeson (Ecstaticist) on Flickr

Photo: feetwet on Flickr

Photo: Doug Hay on Flickr

Photo: feetwet on Flickr

Photo: Mike Nelson Pedde on Flickr

Photo: jayscratch on Flickr

Photo: Richard Powell on Flickr

Photo: jayscratch on Flickr

Photo: Ingrid Taylar on Flickr

Photo: Harold on Flickr

Created in the tragic wake of recent teen suicides in the Comox Valley, the Comox Valley Suicide Awareness group has been heroically challenging local residents to find a community-wide solution. Awareness is key with issues that have such widespread impact.

As it pushes 1,500 members, the group’s Facebook page has become the core springboard for sending out their message. The group’s founders hope to push their message further with the initiation of a ribbon campaign, kicking off this evening at Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School.

On the surface, the black and gold ribbon pins symbolize awareness and prevention. Deep down it means so much more to the group’s founders: “ours stand out because it’s also symbolic of light out of dark, hope out of darkness,” said Stephanie Lafontaine. “We wanted something that represented our community.”

The community forum on suicide awareness runs from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School’s gymnasium. The school is located at 1551 Lerwick Road in Courtenay. The group hopes to have 500 ribbons on hand, all available by donation. For more information, join the Comox Valley Suicide Awareness group on Facebook.