Chilly temperatures didn't dampen spirits or the festive fun of Light Up Lacombe, as things kicked off Nov. 28 with the Echo Energy Santa Claus Parade.
And the excitement didn't let up from there, with the traditional favourites back plus some new additions, said Christina Sturgeon, events and promotions coordinator with the City of Lacombe, and a co-coordinator of this year's event along with MIchelle Pierson.
"The event that Guy (Lapointe - former director of community services) built over the past 11 years is such a community-wide event. It's probably one of the longest Christmas festivals in our area, too. A lot of community partners come together to make it something special.
"I've had a lot of fun with it. Guy left on Nov. 1, and then it was full speed ahead to try and learn about a lot of the things that he had been thinking about. There were a few things here and there we had to make a few turns on, but every single event that happened over these past five days has just been fantastic."
Following the parade, Santa helped light up Lest We Forget Park outside the Lacombe Memorial Centre, with the Tree Lighting Ceremony. After that, it was time for Selfies with Santa at the LMC.
"Thursday night was wonderful in spite of the cold - we had 48 floats in the parade, 20 horses, and a marching band which was amazing," said Sturgeon.
"The tree-iighting also went flawlessly, too, with Santa flipping the switch."
Another popular highlight - the bustling Lacombe Christmas Faire - started up on Thursday afternoon in the LMC as well, and continued through the weekend. Also continuing on Nov. 29 was a Gingerbread House contest in the LMC's County Room, and the Under $100 Art Market in the LMC as well.
Lift Someone In The Light also ran Nov. 28 just outside of St. Andrew’s United Church.
Folks could decorate an ornament complete with a special person’s name on it, and hang it on the Christmas tree in front of the church. The ornaments were also supplied by the church.
Meanwhile, new events this year included Skate With Santa at the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex on Friday evening.
"It went really well, and was a lot of fun," said Sturgeon.
There were also two free movies on Nov. 30. The morning feature was Elf, which was screened at the Lacombe City Cinemas and the evening movie was Christmas with the Kranks. These were free as well.
"I took all of the kids I know to both those movies, so all we did was eat popcorn and Candy on Saturday," she said with a laugh.
The other new event this year was the lively 'Grinchmas High Tea' in the afternoon of Dec. 1, which followed Breakfast with Santa that morning.
Overall, Sturgeon emphasized again that sense of community spirit that fuels Light up Lacombe from start to finish.
"It makes it so that we can keep on growing, and adding more events because there are so many new partners coming in and helping with it," she said.
"There are always things you can improve and work on, but on the whole - for an event that spreads across an entire city and encompasses so many different organizations within this community - you just couldn't ask for anything more."
She also encourages anyone out there who would like to get in on the event for next year to reach out.
"I would invite any other community members, groups, or businesses that want to get involved to do so - we definitely can use ideas, and more volunteers, too," she said. "I'm open to all of that."
For more information, head to lightuplacombe.ca.
