Festive Lights Return To Vancouver Island Streets

Nov 21, 2024 - 9 months ago

The Island Equipment Owners Association is excitedly awaiting the date of Saturday, December 7th, for the 25th Annual Truck Parade and Food Drive.

The parade will roll along an updated route, with the same start and finish as last year, through five municipalities in Greater Victoria.

The trucks will depart from Ogden Point at the Breakwater District at 5:00 pm to glow their way along Dallas Road and into the beautiful Oak Bay Village. CHEK news will be streaming live as the trucks cruise through the village light up event at 6:00 pm. The parade finishes at Ryder Hesjedal Way at approx. 8:00 pm.

Festive Lights Return To Vancouver Island Streets
There are many great locations to watch the parade from, including light up events in Oak Bay, Langford and Colwood where the communities will gather to welcome the season and residents can drop off food bank donations. There are also many quieter spots to watch from and you can still help with an online food bank donation.

Almost as good as the Santa tracker is the Parade Tracker! GPS will be onboard vehicles at the front and back of the parade and their locations will be broadcast by a website link so the community can see where the trucks are and estimate when they will arrive at your viewing location. More details can be found on the website at IEOA.ca under events.

The Island Equipment Owners Association represents local civil contractors, heavy equipment owners and operators, and equipment suppliers on Vancouver Island. The IEOA was incorporated as a Society in 1964 and this year celebrates 60 years, with over 200 companies in the membership. The IEOA offers members the opportunity to connect, learn and benefit from each other’s experience and network with other businesses in the industry. The IEOA supports rate equity, fair business practices and giving back to the communities in which they live and do business. Assisting with community projects in need of equipment or materials and organizing the truck parade to support food banks are just a few ways they are consistently giving back to the local community.

Festive Lights Return To Vancouver Island Streets — *Courtesy Velocity Truck Centres*

In the past twenty-five years, this event has experienced tremendous growth and success and has become a traditional part of celebrating the holiday season for many people. The trucks reflect the pride of the owners who decorate with hundreds of feet in light strings and cheery props ranging from the traditional Snowman and elf themes to the Grinch and Minions. Santa will be enjoying the parade ride in his newly updated mobile toy shop trailer and is looking forward to waving at the crowd. The bright lights and big sounds of the parade rolling through the streets bring out thousands of people to bask in the glow of seasonal fun and absorb the warmth of the theme, giving back to others. Collections of over 170,000 pounds of food donations and over $84,000 in monetary donations have supported many local food banks and nonprofit organizations.

The most convenient way to support the parade efforts is with an online food bank donation. The registered charities receiving donations can provide a taxable donation receipt and can use the donations in areas of greatest need for their clients. Nonperishable food bank donations will be accepted the night of the event, the IEOA website has more details on those locations and food bank website links. IEOA Members encourage the public to find a charity or group that means something to them to help however you can, food and clothing donations or volunteering your time and resources all help support our community grow stronger together.

The participant list is full at 80 commercial trucks and the drivers are excited to get on the road and share their lights and sounds with the watching crowds. The wide variety of trucks is what makes it unique. From equipment trailers loaded with excavators, characters and themes to navy frigates, mixer trucks, slinger trucks, firetrucks, buses, boats, and trains there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The drivers are looking forward to seeing the community support them smiling and waving along the route. Each year their lights and decorations grow and they glow even bigger than the year before, reflecting the heart of the event of sharing their joy of the holidays and goodwill with all the spectators.

The Island Equipment Owners Association would like to thank The Supply Post publication for your support in sharing these details and wish everyone a happy holiday season.

Source: Island Equipment Owners’ Association