A Moonlight and Magic spectacle tonight (Nov. 16) at 6 will get weeks of the first WinterFest in downtown Courtenay off to a fiery start.
Vesta Fire Entertainment, a professional community circus, will feature circus, magic, dance, costumes and fire to a live performance at 6 in the lot at Fifth and England. The show goes ahead rain or clear (only blowing wind can stop a fire performance).
WinterFest actually begins Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. as downtown Courtenay merchants welcome all visitors with shopping specials. The Comox Valley Art Gallery's annual Christmas Craft Fair grand opening runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday evening street performers include Blaine Dunaway, Annie Becker, Lots of Laughs and Magical Faces. Kids can stop by the WinterFest Hub at Fifth and England for a free fire-inspired craft activity for all ages between 4:30 and 8.
Blaine Dunaway plays the Zocalo Café at 7:30 p.m.
And don't miss popular annual favourite Walk the Windows. Be sure to enter to win a giant shopping spree in downtown Courtenay.
On Saturday, special guest street magician Greg Ladret performs at 11 and noon (CVAG plaza) and 1 and 2 (Scotia plaza). Street performers include Hula Hoopla, Luke Orland O'Hearn and Blaine Dunaway. Kids' eco-craft activities run from 11 till 3 at the WinterFest hub.
The Comox Valley Farmers' Market at the Native Sons Hall lasts from 9 to noon and an elasmosaur birthday party happens across Cliffe Avenue at the Courtenay and District Museum from 11 till 4.
The Fiesta Fair Trade Bazaar at the Filberg Centre happens Saturday and Sunday. There's live music from 3 to 5 at the Union Street Grill, the Barra MacNeils' Christmas concert happens at the Sid williams Theatre at 7:30 p.m. and the Black Swan Fiddlers play at Zocalo at 7:30.
The Moonlight and Magic weekend continues Sunday with a second day of the Fiesta bazaar, David Myles at the
Sid Williams Theatre at 7:30 p.m. and Daniel Lapp with Caravan live at the Elks Hall in the evening.
For details on each weekend's programming, become a fan of Downtown Courtenay WinterFest on Facebook.
— Downtown Courtenay WinterFest