Tofino twinkles during the annual Sea of Lights celebration, taking place at Tofino Resort + Marina on Saturday December 3rd.
Guests and locals alike are welcome to gather at the Marina to toast the festive season and enjoy the seasonal light displays, a towering outdoor Christmas tree, festive craft market and caroling. All proceeds raised during the online silent auction will be matched by the resort’s Fish for the Future Fund to support the Raincoast Education Society’s Field School Program for local elementary students to access outdoor education opportunities.
“We are proud that our Sea of Lights event has become a special community tradition and a wonderful way to mark the start of the holidays,” says Lauren Archibald, director of marketing at Tofino Resort + Marina. “It’s also an opportunity to highlight the work we do via our Fish for the Future Fund, supporting healthy salmon stocks and important community initiatives throughout the year.”
The evening will start from 5.00pm with s’mores, smokies and hot chocolate beside the fire pit by donation (proceeds going to the Tofino Volunteer Fire Department) along with a Festive Craft Market, featuring local artisans and vendors. At 6.00pm the Pacific Rim Girls Choir will sing carols followed by the illumination of over 1,000 sparkling lights on the resort’s Christmas tree. From 6.35pm, vessels will drift past the resort in a glittering Sea of Lights floating parade, lighting up the Tofino Inlet with holiday cheer.
Funds raised in an online silent auction will also benefit the Field School Program, with donations from Yeti, Atleo Air, Tofino Air, Middle Beach Lodge, Tofino Vacation Rentals, Pacific Sands Beach Resort, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Ripcurl, Slow Tide, Jeremy Koreski, Tuff City Saunas and more. The resort’s Fish for the Future Fund has raised over $400,000 since 2019. The Fund focuses on stewardship, rebuilding salmon populations and restoring habitats in the Clayoquot Sound, monitoring to better understand the critical issues facing salmon stocks and evoking systemic change by educating the future generation. With funds raised this year, two other key initiatives receiving support include a research project in Tranquil Creek, led by the Redd Fish Restoration Society in partnership with the Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nation, and the Tofino Salmon Enhancement Society.
Alongside events such as Sea of Lights, Tofino Resort + Marina raises funds year-round through various initiatives, including donating $1 for every Tofino Brew Co. Blonde Ale sold at 1909 Kitchen + Bar and implementing a 1% donation resort-wide, for overnight guests, Adventure Centre excursions and restaurant diners, which goes directly to support worthy and important causes.
Learn more about Sea of Lights and Tofino Resort + Marina’s community support initiatives, or to book your future stay, visit: www.tofinoresortandmarina.com.