It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around White Rock, especially for Peninsula resident Ken Leggatt.
As treasurer of the Christmas on the Peninsula Society, Leggatt and fellow members have been busy putting final preparations on the group’s third annual holiday event, which takes place this Saturday (Nov. 26).
“It’s a great Christmas celebration that’s unique on the Peninsula,” Leggatt said of the holiday marketplace, which will feature local artisans and crafters as well as entertainment, storytelling and a parade around Uptown White Rock.
“There’s nothing else like it in the community.”
Leggatt, who also works as chief operating officer of Christian mission organization WorldServe Ministries, first became involved with Christmas on the Peninsula during the event’s inaugural year in 2009.
He said he’s been thrilled to see it grow the past few years and hopes this year’s attendance will top last year’s, which saw around 1,400 attendees throughout the 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. festivities.
When he’s not helping to spread Christmas cheer around the Semiahmoo Peninsula, Leggatt can often be found pursuing outdoor hobbies such as skiing, golf and especially cycling.
He took part in the GranFondo road race from Vancouver to Whistler in September, a ride that included a police escort across the Lions Gate Bridge shortly after sunrise.
“There’s nothing like going for a bike ride with 7,000 other people,” he said.
Next year he’ll also be taking part in the Ride to Survive, a day-long journey from Kelowna to Delta benefitting the Canadian Cancer Society.
Until then, Leggatt said he’s going to enjoy all things Christmas, including his favourite dessert, apple crisp, which he has chosen to share.
Though it’s a longtime favourite of his, Leggatt admits he had to venture into some unfamiliar territory to prepare the delectable dish, and even impressed his two young daughters in the process.
“They’ve never seen dad in the kitchen before. They were very impressed.”
For more on Saturday’s holiday festivities, visit www.christmasonthepeninsula.com
Apple Crisp
Ingredients
10 cups apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup white sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the sliced apples in a 9x13-inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tbsp. flour and ground cinnamon together and sprinkle over the apples. Pour water evenly over all.
Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together.
Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Serve with ice cream or freshly whipped cream.