Santa will want to decorate his sleigh with lights after he sees some of the brightly decorated big rigs taking part in the annual Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive, which rolls through Greater Victoria on Saturday.
Hosted by the Island Equipment Owner’s Association, the convoy is a way for the association’s members to brighten the lives of residents while collecting food donations at the same time.
There will be 80 commercial trucks — many of them 18-wheelers festooned with thousands of lights, taking part in the rolling parade.
Characters on display on the sides of the trucks in past years have included Santa Claus, the Grinch, snowmen and even Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.
Apart from being a spectacle, the event is an opportunity to support local food banks. This is the 21st year it has been put on, with organizers collecting non-perishable food before and during the event.
The trucks aren’t allowed to stop to collect donations. People are instead encouraged to drop off donations at sites along the 35-kilometre route designated for collecting food items.
The collected food is shared among food banks in the region.
The convoy starts at Ogden Point and drives through several communities before gathering at Western Speedway in Langford.
The trucks will be led by a police escort. The lead and last trucks will be equipped with GPS trackers, so you can get an idea of when the convoy will be in your neighbourhood.
In certain areas, the convoy will reduce its speed: Along Dallas Road, through Oak Bay Village and downtown Victoria, behind Victoria General Hospital (to lift spirits of patients of all ages) and at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Goldstream Road.
All the trucks end up at Western Speedway, where they will be met by Santa — arriving in a decorated truck.
Admission at the Speedway is by donation of a non-perishable food item or cash. Coffee, hot chocolate and hot dogs will be available by donation.
The first trucks leave Ogden Point at 5:45, arriving at Oak Bay/Monterey at 6:30; Blanshard/ Yates at 7; Goldstream/Millstream at 8:10 and Western Speedway at 8:30 p.m. (all times approximate).
For information, GPS information and donation stations, go to ieoa.ca.
