The event that perhaps sells out faster than any other in Prince Rupert is just around the corner.
The Jingle Boat Express, a cruise aboard the Inside Passage with Santa Claus, setting sail on Dec. 10, will have its tickets become available on Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre.
Because a limited number of tickets are available for each ride (approximately 72), organizing sponsors Northern Savings Credit Union, the Port of Prince Rupert, Prince Rupert Early Years and Success by 6 North Coast are planning ahead to make sure as many Prince Rupert youth can ride with Santa as possible.
The civic centre doors will open at 8 a.m. and tickets will begin selling at 9 a.m.
“When we do the ticket sales, we’re going to have three of the four sailings go on sale on a first-come, first-serve basis in the ticket lineup and then our fourth sailing happens at 1 p.m. [on Dec. 10]. That’s going to be done via a random draw – so there’s the lineup and then there’s also the random draw method for that one sailing,” Stefan Delloch, NSCU branch manager, said.
The four sailings leave on Dec. 10 at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.
Sailors can enter the 1 p.m. sailing draw at the Port Interpretive Centre by submitting a ballot starting on Nov. 23 until Nov. 27. Overall, 320 people will be able to sail with Santa.
“All the ticket sale funds are donated, so once we get the funds in, the main organizers donate that money to the Salvation Army and they use it to purchase Christmas presents for kids who otherwise can’t have them at Christmas time. So all of the costs of the event are 100 per cent borne by the partners of the event. An event like this is typically $6,000-plus to put on and lots of volunteer hours and it’s for a really good cause. The low cost ($5) is so even low-income families can participate,” said Delloch.
Additional sailing sponsors of financial and in-kind contributions consist of: Prince Rupert Adventure Tours, CityWest, Tim Hortons, DP World, Loyal Order of Moose, Prince Rupert Loyal Purple Lodge No. 8 and Stuck on Designs.
“I would like to thank the businesses and organizations that come together to make this amazing event a reality for the children and families in our community,” Kate Toye of Success by 6, said.
“The Port of Prince Rupert is pleased to continue with its support of the Jingle Boat Express and encouraged with the community’s commitment to grow this event,” Krista Ediger, PRPA community outreach coordinator added.
More information can be found at Northern Savings’ Facebook event: Jingle Boat Express – Ticket Sales.