Truckers light it up for food banks
The holiday season shifts into high gear Saturday as big rigs rumble through Victoria in a convoy during the Island Equipment Owners Association’s Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive.
This is the 19th year for the event, which features 80 brightly decorated commercial trucks taking a 35-kilometre cruise from Ogden Point through the streets of the capital region, with the goal of collecting non-perishable food items for local food banks.
The Truck Light Convoy starts to roll at Ogden Point at 5:45 p.m.
The convoy will slow down along several sections — along Dallas Road, through Oak Bay Village, in downtown Victoria, behind the Victoria General Hospital and at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Goldstream Road.
The convoy is expected to arrive at Western Speedway at about 8:30 p.m.
Thousands are expected to line the route to view the spectacle. The Island Equipment Owners Association will be accepting donations of food items for those in need.
The convoy can’t stop, so specially designated drop-off sites will be set up along the route to collect non-perishable food and monetary donations.
The event benefits the Mustard Seed Church, Salvation Army, Goldstream Food Bank and the Sidney Lions Food Bank.
Last year, the event collected more than 3,000 kilograms of food.
The final destination is Western Speedway, where Santa will arrive in a decorated truck.
Follow the convoy in real time via GPS at lightsparade-live.com.
Admission to the speedway is by non-perishable food item or cash donation. Coffee, hot chocolate and hotdogs will be available by donation. For information or food collection locations, go to ieoa.ca.