Sooke will have its first annual "sail past", a display of Christmas lights in front of Whiffin Spit, on December 21st. More information below (from DiscoverSooke.com)

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Dec. 21, 2008 - Sooke Harbour Christmas Sail Past.

The First Annual Sooke Harbour Christmas Sail Past is scheduled for December, 21, 2008. Come out and watch the boats sail past Whiffen Spit, all decorated with Christmas lights. The Sail Past starts at 5pm, leaving Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina, slowly making it’s way past Whiffen Spit where the parade will turn around and head towards Sooke Basin. A little ways down towards the Basin they will turn around again and head back past Whiffen Spit for a final viewing and then back into Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina to end the Sail Past.

Sooke Harbour House will be providing complimentary Hot Chocolate to all parade viewers while they enjoy the lights in the harbour at Whiffen Spit.

We’d like to get as many boats out as possible for this event. We realize this is short notice, but it will be a lot of fun and good times will be had for all. For more information and to register your boat, please contact Eagle Eye Outfitters or call 250.642.7983. Deadline for registration will be on December 20th at 5pm.

The registration is free and you can launch your boat for free from Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina if you are participating in the Sail Past. We just ask that your boat is decorated for Christmas, so Christmas lights would be appropriate for display on your boat. Once registered, we ask all entrants to be at Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina with your boats decorated and in the water by 4pm on the 21st to go over Sail Past instructions, proposed course path and to take a final tally of boats in the parade.

The Sooke Auxiliary Coast Guard, Unit #37, will be on hand to assist with the parade and to keep an overview of the event.

We’d like to ask the parade viewers at Whiffen Spit to please donate a can of food for the food bank as you are entering the park.