Approximately $65,000 was raised at this year’s Festival of Lights gala dinner and auction, significantly more than last year’s total and well above this year’s goal of $50,000. "It was a huge success," said Errol Flynn. "We sold just under 600 tickets, and some people didn’t show because of the weather." Among the auction items was a dinner for 100 at the Trattoria di Umberto including wine and featuring 10 high-profile Whistlerites as waiters. That item sold for $15,000 to guests of the Hongkong Bank of Canada. The beneficiaries of this year’s Festival of Lights will be the Whistler Community Arts Council, Pemberton & District Hospital Society, SAFE Clinic, Whistler Animals Galore, the Jennifer Jones Whistler Bear Foundation and Whistler Secondary School. Meanwhile, in the lighting contest, Nick and Jan DiLalla won the best residential Christmas light display prize. They have won the prize several times in the past. Honourable mention in the residential category went to Sandee Bathgate. Judging for entrants took place during Whistler World Cup week. Trophies will be awarded during the Chamber's Dec. 18, luncheon at the Whistler Conference Centre. Other winners included: Carlsberg's Gifts (best village retail category); Svelpol Crystal (retail honourable mention); Chateau Whistler Resort (best hotel/restaurant); Whistler Mountain Ski Corporation (best Whistler Creek); and Ma Maison (best Function Junction).
