Santa arrives at Canada Games Plaza, much to the delight of the young folk in the crowd. – photo 250News

Prince George, B.C. – With hot chocolate, hay rides,  rockin’ tunes,  the Prince George Fire Rescue  team  offering  tours of a fire truck and plenty of figure skaters twirling and jumping on the ice,  the City of Prince George has officially  kicked off the holiday season with the annual  Light Up  at Canada Games Plaza.

“A great turn out I think” says Mayor Lyn Hall ” The only thing we’re missing is snow,  it would have been great to have a skiff of snow , but I’m  really pleased with the turn out.”

With the festival of Trees  offering a glittering display  and the Plaza  decked out with blow up  Santa’s, snowmen and  cartoon characters,  the stage was set for the arrival of the  man in red.

Mayor Lyn Hall, along with MPs Bob Zimmer, Todd Doherty and the Lindstrom family  gave the  final countdown for the lighting up the tree and the  holiday lights  around the Plaza.

(at right,  Mayor and friends  countdown to flip the switch)

“It’s a great event, lots of people out here just a great event ” says Cariboo -Prince George MP Todd Doherty.

Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies  MP Bob Zimmer was also on hand “It’s great to see the Christmas spirit kicking in in Prince George, it’s going to be a great year!”

(Below,  Prince George Fire Rescue had the ladder extended as a display)