A true Lacombe holiday tradition, the festive fun of Light Up Lacombe kicks off Nov. 27 and runs through to Dec. 1.
The annual lead-up to Christmas event was first launched by Guy Lapointe, the city's former director of community services, back in 2011, 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.
"It was one of the first big things that he started," said Sturgeon of Lapointe, who recently moved on to work for the Town of Olds.
"It was always his baby."
Meanwhile, there is plenty to look forward to this year - lots of the usual favourites plus a few new highlights folks will want to check out.
"We have two new events this year which are going to be really fun! One is Skate With Santa at the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex on Nov. 29 from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. It's a free public skate - Santa will be there, and we will be providing hot chocolate afterwards," she explained.
"We will also be showing two free movies on Nov. 30 - in the past, we've had only one. Last year, we did a morning and an evening one, and it went really well, so we will be doing that again," she said, adding the morning feature is Elf, which will be screened at the Lacombe City Cinemas at 10 a.m. and the evening movie will be Christmas with the Kranks, which starts at 9 p.m. Thewe are free as well," she said, adding the cinema snack bar will be open, too.
"Another new event will be the 'Grinchmas High Tea' on Dec. 1. We have our Breakfast with Santa that morning ($10 per person), and then in the afternoon we will have a tea with the Grinch. It's a ticketed event - $5 per person. There will be tea, hot chocolate, and coffee, and a whole bunch of 'Grinchy' treats. The Grinch will be making an appearance, so it should be lots of fun," she said.
"We will also be having horse-drawn wagon rides all day that day, leaving from the LMC, and those are free."
Meanwhile, a signature event is the Echo Energy Santa Claus Parade on Nov 28, starting at 6 p.m. Those who would like to be in the parade can register up until Nov. 26.
"It's shaping up to be bigger than last year's, and last year's parade was huge."
Following the parade, Santa will help light up Lest We Forget Park outside the Lacombe Memorial Centre. The Tree Lighting Ceremony is set for 7:30 p.m. sharp. And don’t forget to grab a selfie with Santa at the LMC after the parade, starting at 7 p.m.
Also, from 4 to 8 p.m., the Lacombe Christmas Faire will be running in the LMC as well, and it will continue through the weekend."
The night before, on Nov. 27, local band Flat Iron Jazz will be performing ‘A Swinging Singing Christmas’ at 7:30 p.m. at the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre. Tickets will be available at the door.
Lift Someone In The Light also runs Nov. 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. just outside of St. Andrew’s United Church. The concept is simple but powerful – folks can 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 are also supplied by the church.
Continuing on Nov. 29 will be a Gingerbread House contest in the LMC's County Room, and the Under $100 Art Market in the LMC as well.
Also, running through the entire event is the Festival of Wreaths at the LMC, which is held annually in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lacombe and District mentoring programs.
For Sturgeon, it's a joy to see so many individuals and community groups come together each year to help make Light Up Lacombe happen.
"The way that Guy had set it up is just fantastic, because one person could not do all of what we have going on. It's really a whole bunch of different community organizations, and people within the community, that come together to create all of these events, and help to create such a great opener to the season," she said.
"It really is all fantastic, and it just keeps growing every year," Sturgeon added of Light up Lacombe. "It's also exciting to me to take this amazing event that Guy has built, and see if we can add a little here and there and continue to make it something fantastic for everyone in the community.
"I love Christmas, and I had never met anyone who loved it as much as I did until I met Guy," she added with a laugh.
"I love it when they flip the lights on (in the park). I love the parade. I'm also super excited about the brunch, and the tea. i honestly love every part of it, and I also love how the whole community comes together to create this celebration for everybody. And so I'm really excited to be in this position - to be able to help carry this on."
For a complete run-down of Light Up Lacombe events, head to lightuplacombe.ca.
