What better way to warm up after a day on the slopes of Mount Washington Alpine Resort or to shake the January blahs then a night on the town?
With 2017 Comox Valley WinterFest kicking off this Friday, downtown Courtenay will be lit-up with live, and in many cases, free entertainment found throughout local pubs, restaurants and performing venues, Jan. 13-29.
“We wanted downtown to be a hotbed of things to do for skiers, visitors and locals alike in January,” said Deana Simkin, owner of Billy D’s Pub and Bistro, and a director with the Downtown Courtenay BIA (DCBIA), which collaborated with Comox Valley Economic Development & Tourism (CVEDS) in the development of the festival. “Every night of the festival, there are numerous live performances happening, for every type of taste, be it comedy, rock, disco, pop, blues, karaoke and even a hypnotist show. We’ve never seen a line-up this robust in downtown Courtenay, and many of them are free.”
Local favourites include the Brodie Dawson Duo, Larry Ayre, Time Well Wasted, James & Johnson, Maverick Cinema with Louis Patterson, and the Drummond Affair.
Add to that other names, including The Lonely Roy Orbison Tribute band, or Lion, Bear, Fox, as well as Leela Gilday showcased at the Sid Williams Theatre. One of the most recognizable names is bringing comedy from south of the border to WinterFest: Darryl Lenox Comedy Night will be at Red 21, and the list goes on.
The host venues showcase the range of engaged business in downtown Courtenay including Games and Grounds, Gladstone’s Brewing Co, Cornerstone Café, The Noodle Joint, Union Street Grill, Billy D’s Pub and Bistro, Mudsharks Café, Sid Williams Theatre, Avalanche Bar and Grill, and Hitec Screen Printing/Brazen.
To top it off the WinterFest Fun Zone returns to downtown Courtenay at Fifth Street and England Avenue, again with free outdoor skating and 24 daily special events, live performances, competitions, movie nights, snow play area, and much more — a great family-friendly outing.
With hotels offering 50 per cent off ‘Ski with Stays,’ it’s not only a perfect time to visit the Valley, but a wonderful time to get out and enjoy the region and the many participating businesses. Tickets and more information: CVWinterFest.com or call the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre at 250-400-2882.