Tickets are on sale for Timberline Country Christmas.
Festivities take place on a 73 acre horse ranch just north of downtown Maple Ridge.
The ranch is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with beautiful trees, interactive scenes, festive music, and wholesome activities from times when Christmas was a lot simpler.
Timberline Ranch is a charitable, Christian-based, year-round camp and retreat centre for children and families. There are summer camps, guest group rentals, seasonal retreats, and special events like Country Christmas. It was founded in 1961.
Country Christmas will feature pony rides, covered wagon rides, an adventure maze, and a petting zoo.
Guests will be able to vote for their favourite Christmas tree, decorated by local businesses.
They will also be able to interact with numerous small displays which explain where many Christmas traditions come from like mistletoe, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and Christmas stockings.
For those with a sweet tooth, the bakery will offer large cookies for guests to decorate and then, of course, eat.
There will be a nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and the shepherds at the manger.
A snow-themed ball pit will test target skills with fun games.
Bring your own camera to take family photos in a festive photo booth that will be set up for a country Christmas look.
The Timberline Cafe will have an assortment of snacks, hot dogs, chili, and beverages for sale in the Lodge Building.
Pony rides cost $6 plus tax and are for children aged 12 and under.
Wagon rides will not run if the roads are snowy or icy.
Those who would like to attend must make an online reservation beforehand and arrive about 10 minutes before your scheduled arrival time.
“Country Christmas has been created so that it never feels busy and there are never long lines for the activities. We do this by scheduling only 20-25 people every 15 minutes,” explained organizers.
Organizers ask that people dress for the weather as some events take place in a large, unheated barn, or on the wagon.
Guests will be able to progress from activity to activity at their own pace, with most families taking about 60 to 90 minutes to finish all of the activities.
“This is not a super fancy event with 10 million lights on display! It is simple, traditional, and fun. Kids find it amazing. Adults enjoy the peacefulness of the country and the relaxed, no-rush atmosphere,” organizers noted, adding Santa will not be at the event, as he is busy at the local mall.
Every year more than 4,000 people attend Timberline Country Christmas.
Timberline Country Christmas runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, starting on Dec. 5, with its final day being Monday, Dec. 22.
Organizers ask that you show up on time. If you are late, they will try to fit you in at a later spot, but, they said, there are no guarantees.
This is a very popular event, and if we start you late, it will likely affect those who are on time for the next time slot,” they explained.
They also ask that you not bring strollers as the ranch is not stroller or wheelchair-friendly.
Tickets are only $12-$17 and reservations can be booked at: www.TimberlineChristmas.ca.