Image Credit: Contributed

KELOWNA - The temperature outside may be dropping but Christmas-themed weekend events in Kelowna are starting to heat up. 

Kane's Harley-Davidson will be pulling out all the stops this Saturday, transforming the store into a Christmas Harleyland.  Aside from sweet choppers and motorcycles, the staff will also be providing a free feast for all who show up. Visit this website for more information.

The crew from the Joe Rich Fire Departmentl will be holding their 8th annual food bank drive Sunday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The fire fighters will be going door-to-door throughout the community collecting food and cash donations for the Kelowna Food Bank. Residents who wish to drop off donations on Sunday can do so at either the Joe Rich Community Hall at 11481 Highway 33 East or the fire hall at 6500 Goudie Road. Both facilities will be open to accept donations during the drive. For more information visit joerichfire.ca or call 250-765-8660.

The Great Toy Drive of West Kelowna will be collecting toy and gift donations for the Boys and Girls Clubs Christmas hamper program Saturday and Sunday starting at noon. Last year the drive made over 200 hampers to help local families in need and are hoping to help even more this year. They are seeking toy, book, gifts for teens and winter clothing. Donations can be dropped off at the Investors Group at 102-3500 Carrington Road.

For those who will be spending the weekend on the ski hill, Big White will be hosting a Sweater Ball benefitting Kelowna General Hospital Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Pull those vintage sweaters out of the closet and enjoy an evening of retro fun while celebrating Big White’s 50th Anniversary.  Come down to the Happy Valley Day Lodge to take in some deluxe food, themed drinks and dance the night away with Easy Fix to the greatest hits from the last 50 years. Capture the true essence of the ‘sweater love’ in our photo booth with Okanagan Digital Media, gather yourself some items in our amazing silent auction or just peruse the marvelous collection of archival Big White Ski Resort photographs that have been assembled for this night only. Tickets available by email concierge@bigwhite.com or by calling or 250-491-6101

Fill The Van for Sally Ann will be taking place once again at Save-On-Foods and Coopers Foods, Orchard Plaza, Lakeshore Place or Westbank Towne Centre this Saturday at 9 a.m. The annual event is a chance to donate non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army.

Columbia Bottle Depot is holding a Scouts Bottle Drive Saturday at 9 a.m. Bring bottles and cans to the depot or email karenandphil@shaw.ca in advance to have them picked up. Donated recyclables will be used to raise funds for events in the upcoming year.

Looking to buy a gift for a snow lover this Christmas? Cyclepath Cycle & Snow will be donating 10 per cent of all sales this weekend to the B.C. Cancer Foundation’s Sindi Hawkin Centre. There will also be a BBQ Saturday, with proceeds going to the 2014 Ride to Conquer Cancer Team.

Join in for some holiday fun and support families in your community together with the Running Room and The Salvation Army at the 2013 Santa Shuffle at Mission Creek Park Saturday at 10 a.m. Last year over 12,000 runners from across the country raised over $700,000.00 in support of The Salvation Army Canada’s mission to fight poverty and restore dignity.  It’s a fun event where participants can choose from a 5 km Elf Walk or 5 km run. Festive attire is encouraged.

The Lake Country RCMP are currently planning the 2nd Annual Cram the Cruiser fund raising event which is set to take place on Saturday December 7 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Lake Country Cooper’s Foods. Once again, regular and auxiliary members of the RCMP, along with RCMP volunteers will be on location with marked police vehicles inviting the public to Cram the Cruiser with non-perishable food donations. Cash donations will also be accepted and all donations will benefit the Lake Country Food Bank. Everyone who contributes with a donation of any size will be given the opportunity to enter their name into a draw for prizes from both Lake Country and Kelowna businesses.

As if that wasn’t enough, three live performances will also be hitting stages in Kelowna this weekend.

Check out The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Creekside Theatre on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. In this two-actor adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ beloved tale, Peter and Lucy pay a visit to The Wardrobe as adults. It doesn’t take long for them to get caught up in their reminiscence and relive their journey through a land where it is always winter but never Christmas. The land where Peter and Lucy were not mere children, but Sons of Adam and Eve, warriors for the great Lion Aslan, defeaters of the White Witch, and finally, kings and queens. A splendidly theatrical invention that captivates the adult imagination as powerfully as a child’s with its rich themes and unforgettable images.

The Kelowna Community Theatre will be performing the much-loved classical ballet “The Nutcracker” Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Filled with fantasy and magic, The Nutcracker has captivated generations of families around the world making it a seasonal tradition. Join Clara as she delights in the Christmas gift of an enchanted Nutcracker that takes her on a magical journey from the comfort of her home to The Land of Snow and to The Land of Sweets. Entertained by beautiful dancers and The Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara wakens to find it was all only a dream. The Canadian School of Ballet's charming production of The Nutcracker has been delighting Okanagan audiences for twenty years and we welcome you to share the joy and wonder with your family once again.

Shrek The Musical, based on the Oscar winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on stage at the Kelowna Actors Studio Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a villain with a short temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand and his name is Shrek.

Did we miss something? Send events information to events@infotelnews.ca.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca, call 250-718-0428 or tweet @AdamProskiw.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013