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Sounds of the season fill Cadboro Bay

Mount Douglas jazz band among the performers when Caroling in the Village returns Sunday evening
Jacob Zinn/News Staff - The Mount Douglas Jazz Band performed so
The Mount Douglas secondary school jazz band will be back again this year to entertain the crowds at Cadboro Bay’s Caroling in the Village celebration.

Cadboro Bay officially rings in the holiday season this weekend with its annual Caroling in the Village celebration.

“There will be live music, as we shut down the main block of Cadboro Bay Village and have a huge stage,” said Leanne Allen of Sunday’s event running from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Mount Douglas secondary school jazz band and choir will perform, along with traditional favourite Louise Rose.

“She’s been here every year since the beginning, she is going to be there with members of four different choirs,” said Allen, community co-ordinator for the Cadboro Bay Business Improvement Association.

There will also be the traditional holiday foods and beverages for the crowds to enjoy, as well as raffles for some great baskets filled with goodies.

“Pepper’s donates a dozen frozen turkeys so you could also win your Christmas dinner,” said Allen, adding the proceeds raised will be split between Our Place Society and the Mount Douglas music program.

She said the event is the annual launch of Christmas celebrations for many who have grown up in the area.

“It’s a great way to start off the holidays. It’s a good community event that brings out lots of people. If the weather is good, there should be several hundred people.”

How long Caroling in the Village has been a holiday tradition in Cadboro Bay is somewhat a mystery, as the event originated with just a handful of people singing outside Hart’s Pharmacy and the Smuggler’s Cove Pub.

“There’s a little controversy about that. I have been told 20 years, I have been told 25 years. No one has the exact year it started,” said Allen.

Cadboro Bay Road will be closed between Sinclair and Penrhyn from 4:30 to 9 p.m. with traffic rerouted onto Hobbs.

“We’re really encouraging people to walk, carpool, take the bus, but if they do need to find parking and can’t find it in the village itself, they can park in Gyro Park,” said Allen.