This evening, after my sister went through the trappings of her birthday, the family and I trekked to the DVBA’s first ever Lights of Wonder spectacle. The bright downtown photo op kicked off this Friday, and this Sunday evening had hundreds of folks and their puppers strolling about Centennial Square snapping photos.
My family itself were part of the photo activities, quickly looking around the lit up trees, landmark inspired gates, and a motion capture light tree. A few toddlers took great delight to screaming at it. It was adorable.
Later on, I was able to catch up with one of the event promoters, Christine Wood, of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. The DVBA works to promote the area’s businesses, she says, adding it developed other holiday activities in the Square such as a ferris wheel or skating rink. Many of the scenes in Lights of Wonder include parts of Victoria’s heritage, she says.
“There’s the Gate of Harmonious Interest which comes off of Chinatown,” she says. There’s the Crown, which is of the namesake Victoria she adds, as Victoria is named after Queen Victoria of England. Other spots she pointed out included a tree modeled after a regional Sitka spruce, an orca of the local Salish Sea, and an arch modeled after the BC Legislature.
“I believe this event will only grow in future years,” Wood adds, saying she loves seeing people of all ages and their puppies (as a few puppies sniffed each other nearby) take a look around to the free, all access event.
Sounds just about what my family just did.
Here’s hoping a happy holidays to all.
Cheers! 🎄❄✝
-Santarossa Soundbites
Santarossa Soundbites 