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Weather dampened first King Street Christmas

Turnout was much lower than anticipated for a new Fort Langley event, but organizers still had a blast.
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Weather kept many away from the inaugural Christmas on King Street festivities in Fort Langley this weekend.

by Ashleigh Beaudoin

It was a slushy start to Fort Langley’s first Christmas on King Street “Made in Canada” marketplace on Saturday, but all was merry and filled with Holiday as King Street was converted into a winter wonderland.

Held in partnership with the Langley Centennial Museum and the BC Farm Museum, this winter marketplace showcased local vendors selling soaps, jewelry, ornaments, and items for the person on any shopping list who enjoys shopping locally.

“We’re giving local artisans a place to show their work, and giving back to some really wonderful charities,” said Lana Hart, president of the Langley Arts Council.

Those in attendance were welcomed with holiday carols sung by the Shatford Trio, a cup of cider or hot chocolate, and hotdogs roasting on an open barbecue.

Walking through the Centennial Museum, a basket valued at $1,000 dollars was being raffled off, and kids crafts were set up for those who wished to come inside out of the cold.

Branching away from the traditional gingerbread house, a scale model of the Fort Langley Community Hall was made out of cookies, a perfect replica of a favourite local landmark.

Santa Claus was in attendance on Saturday, and he had set up shop for the day in the BC Farm Museum, where visitors were also welcomed by carollers, this time Madeleine Delittle and Marian Beuchert of the Vancouver Folk Song Society.

The farm museum went all-out in decorating its historic sleighs for Christmas, and invited visitors to sit in them and have their picture taken.

Meanwhile, Jeff Chenette was busy at work creating hand-forged stocking hangers, with sales by donation going to the Empty Stocking Fund.

A blacksmith for 25 years, Chenette was artfully working away at the forge while explaining the process of forging to onlookers.

Students from Brookswood Secondary raffled off Christmas trees from the Fernridge Christmas tree forest, and seven winners took home Christmas trees, lights, and stands included.

With vendors and volunteers buzzing, and the feeling of holiday cheer in the air, Hart is looking to the future.

“We are so happy to be here and hope that this can become a yearly event,” she concluded.