Elvis sightings in Esquimalt are not uncommon, especially at Christmas.
Hundreds will see longtime Elvis Presley tribute artist Scott MacDonald return for the third time at the sixth annual Esquimalt Celebration of Lights after-parade party, on Dec. 6.
Singing Elvis' holiday songs at an event that brings out different generations allows the Esquimalt resident to introduce Elvis to younger generations.
"Some have never listened to Elvis music, so you give them a little taste and they go, 'Hey, that's good stuff,'" MacDonald said.
The music begins at 6:30 p.m. outside the Archie Browning Sports Centre, and will include performances by the Chief and Petty Officers' Association band, singer/songwriter Kristin Hobbis, and Fraser Campbell will perform Esquimalt Shines, which he wrote for the township's centennial.
Santa will arrive with the parade and visit with children, and the Esquimalt Lions Club will provide free hot dogs.
"Every year it gets better and better," said Murray Boyce, Celebration of Lights committee volunteer. "People look forward to it."
The parade, featuring 30 entries this year, is the brainchild of longtime Esquimalt resident Dino Fiorin, who wanted to see a winter celebration come to Esquimalt.
"It's coming along nicely," Fiorin said of the event's growing success.
His hopes are high for an even bigger celebration in 2012, when the township celebrates its centennial.
"We're hoping for a lot of public support for that one," he said. "We're trying to come up with something really outstanding."
The parade begins at 6 p.m. on Lyall Street at Canteen Road, continues along Lyall and turns onto Admirals Road before heading along Esquimalt Road to the Archie Browning Sports Centre, 1151 Esquimalt Rd.
For details, please visit www.celebrationoflights.ca.
Did you know?
The Esquimalt Celebration of Lights has been expanded this year to include a free community skate, sponsored by Coast Capital Savings, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Archie Browning Sports Centre, 1151 Esquimalt Rd.