PORT COQUITLAM, BC – Dec. 1, 2020…. A new 12 days of Christmas holiday campaign launched today in Port Coquitlam is encouraging residents to help brighten up their community and support local businesses and charities.

Residents who submit night-time photos of their brightly-lit homes to the city from Dec. 1 to 12 will be entered to win a $50 e-gift card to a Port Coquitlam business of their choice. One winner will be randomly selected each day of the campaign.

The intent of the campaign is to encourage community spirit and support Port Coquitlam businesses and charities by encouraging residents to shop and give locally, and spread cheer and goodwill with bright holiday displays at their homes. The city will also join in the fun: the downtown area including Shaughnessy Street, City Hall, Leigh Square, Donald Street pathway, and the northside commercial area at Prairie Avenue and Coast Meridian Road are being lit up.

“While we cannot hold our usual Christmas events this year due to health protocols, we want to do whatever we can to brighten up everyone’s spirits this holiday season,” said Mayor Brad West, who will officially switch on the lights at City Hall and Leigh Square this week. “The city will be lit up for this holiday season and we encourage our residents to also bring some cheer to their neighbourhoods with their own lights and decorations. We know it’s a tough time for everyone as we miss our usual gatherings. Let’s all do what we can to brighten people’s spirits and give back.”

The 12 Days of Christmas contest is open to Port Coquitlam residents and limited to one entry per address over the 12 days. Photos may be uploaded to portcoquitlam.ca/christmas, or shared on social media using the hashtag #winterinpoco and #WeAreAllInThisTogether and tagging the city (@CityofPoCo on Twitter or Instagram or @portcoquitlam on Facebook).

The 12 winners can choose a $50 gift card from any licensed business in Port Coquitlam.

The campaign dovetails with the Port Coquitlam Downtown Business Improvement Association’s holiday Fa La La La Local Campaign. Each December weekday leading up to Christmas, the BIA will feature different business categories and stores in downtown Port Coquitlam that can help with holiday shopping and preparations. The BIA campaign is also giving away a $50 gift card to a downtown business every weekday in December. More information is available at downtownpocobia.com and the BIA’s social media channels.

“We have some amazing and unique businesses in all areas of Port Coquitlam,” said Mayor Brad West. “I encourage everyone to support Port Coquitlam businesses and shop locally as much as you can this holiday season, for everything from gifts to groceries. Every little bit helps the businesses that keep our community thriving.”

More Holiday Fun in Port Coquitlam

To further help spread some holiday cheer, the Port Coquitlam Heritage and Cultural Society is holding its re-imagined 8th Annual Christmas Tree Festival, featuring small trees in the PoCo Heritage Museum and Archives window at 2248 McAllister Ave. Larger trees are also installed at the Gathering Place windows in Leigh Square, two of which are memorial trees.

Residents are encouraged to vote for their favourite small tree by Dec. 13 at pocoheritage.org/christmas-tree-festival. Those who visit the display in person can also join in a scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes – scan the QR code on the window and search for items hidden throughout the display.

The winners will be announced on Dec. 14, and the tree with the most community votes will be awarded with a prize and eternal bragging rights. To view the trees, visit pocoheritage.org/christmas-tree-festival/ or follow PoCo Heritage on social media.

Residents can also take part in the Terry Fox Library’s holiday presentation ‘Charles Dickens and the Holidays with Author Heather Redmond’ on December 10 at 7:00 p.m. Redmond’s latest novel, A Christmas Carol Murder, is set when Dickens did his first writing on Christmas. Register online for this free virtual presentation at fvrl.bc.ca.

While Port Coquitlam won’t get a visit this year from the Canadian Pacific Railway Holiday Train, residents are encouraged to tune in to a virtual concert Dec. 12 on Facebook Live – featuring Serena Ryder, The Trews, JoJo Mason, Logan Staats and Kelly Prescott – and donate to the SHARE food bank. The modified event is intended to draw attention to food security issues and ensure donations go to food banks, like SHARE, that would normally receive them.

“We know COVID-19 has created challenges for many in our community – the need is great,” said Mayor West. “If you can, please make a difference is someone’s life by making a donation to the SHARE food bank or another organization this holiday season.”

As per public health orders, residents coming downtown to view the lights or trees are advised to avoid large gatherings, wear a mask in indoor spaces, and keep six feet apart from those not in their immediate households. Residents are also advised to not gather in large groups to view homes that are lit up for the season.

For more information about these events, visit portcoquitlam.ca/christmas.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca