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WinterFest offers enticing gifts, activities

Unusual, exciting and enticing gifts and activities are the theme for this weekend at downtown Courtenay WinterFest.

Unusual, exciting and enticing gifts and activities are the theme for this weekend at downtown Courtenay WinterFest.

Unlock your romantic side, follow a fantasy or fulfill a long-held dream. There are surprising and delightful options for adventure seekers of all stripes throughout downtown.

Whether you're looking for some cutting-edge music, romantic gifts and toys, new reads, decadent sweets, silky undergarments, art supplies, cool new knee socks, retro decorations, tarot cards or crystals, a pair of heels or a great new outfit for holiday parties, you can find it all in the heart of Courtenay.

This weekend is also a great opportunity to discover unique art and crafts and upcycled goods at local shops, galleries, the Comox Valley Art Gallery or the Elevate Winter Bazaar at the Lower Native Sons Hall.

Be sure to check out the detailed workshop schedule for the Elevate Bazaar on their website at www.elevatethearts.com.
The wild side of life includes the wild outdoors! Pursue long-held dreams about conquering peaks, surfing, diving or snowboarding. Brave the elements with special gear that will you keep you warm and dry and ready for the next extreme adventure.

The WinterFest Hub has all kinds of fun activities on Saturday as well. Gayle Bates from the CVRD will lead free recycled and upcycled arts and crafts from 11 and 2 and all are welcome to come and create. Then at 2, join Captain Thunderpants for a free community concert and Yuletide singalong extravaganza!

Kick off your boots, drop your shopping in the corner, pull up a chair or a pillow and get into the spirit of the season — Captain Thunderpants style. Or take a Wild Side walking tour of Downtown Courtenay and explore some undiscovered secrets. The walking tour leaves at 1 p.m. from the Sid plaza.

Friday night, you can discover the cinematic antics of local film makers Fox and Bee Productions at the Union Street Grill, check out some pretty wild ski and snowboard adventures at the Sid Theatre or take in some sweet tunes with the Jilli Martini Band at Billy D's.

Saturday night, be sure to check out the Jon and Roy Holiday Special with guests Buck 65, Ryan Guldemond (Mother Mother), Horse Feathers, and Scott Stanton & David Lang from Current Swell at the Sid Williams Theatre.

Be sure to take pictures this weekend, post and tag them #DowntownCourtenay for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate from Union Street Grill.

Thursday, Dec. 12

7 p.m. PK Tessmann plays Zocalo Cafe – an Elevate/Zocalo co-presentation.

7:30 Winter Harp -  Sid Williams Theatre;

7:30 Niall Harvey Band - Courtenay’s heartthrob wows us with his Bublé style vocals. At the Avalanche;

Friday, Dec. 13

7 pm Fox & Bee perform (multi-media) at the Elevate Grotto. Concert series – by donation;

8 – 11 Friday Night Lounge with the Jilli Martini House band at Billy D’s;

Swing Set at Zocalo Café;

Warren Miller's Ticket to Ride — Legendary film series takes ski/snowboard fans on an action packed journey to some of the most exotic destinations in the world — at the Sid Williams Theatre;

Saturday, Dec. 14

9 a.m. - noon Comox Valley Farmers' Market with special guest Luke Blu Guthrie;

9-5 Elevate Winter Bazaar at the Lower Native Sons Hall. Music, extreme crafts, art, food, workshops;

11-2 Craft Action at the WinterFest Hub with Gayle Bates and the CVRD;

All Day - Wild Side Art at the CVAG Christmas Craft Fair featuring Chicken Icons by Elaine Savoie, Home Protective Charms  by Barbara Plichtova and sculptures by Hans Pedersen of Courtenay;

1 pm Wildside heritage walking tour of Downtown Courtenay – leaves Sid plaza with Alana Gowdy;

2 Free Community Show at the WinterFest Hub - Captain Thunderpants Yuletide Singalong;

7 Loose Gravel at Zocalo Cafe;

8 Jon and Roy Holiday Special with guests Buck 65, Ryan Guldemond (Mother Mother), Horse Feathers, and Scott Stanton & David Lang (Current Swell) perform this year's Holiday Special at the Sid Williams Theatre.

— Downtown Courtenay WinterFest