The fourth annual Light Up the Night Event was held last week here in Lacombe. This year’s festival was somewhat diminished as the events planned for Nov. 28th, including Lumenight, the record attempt and fireworks displays, were cancelled due to concerns over cold winter weather becoming a safety concern.
However, those events that were still held saw great turnout. Things kicked off Wednesday with the Flatiron Jazz Swinging Singing Christmas Concert, a new event added to Light Up the Night this year and despite the frigid weather last Thursday, the streets were packed, lined with Lacombians eager to see this year’s Tim Hortons’ Santa Claus Parade.
After the parade, which was as big and bright as ever, wrapped up, the switch was flipped on the landmark light display at the Lacombe Memorial Centre. Those in attendance then packed inside the LMC to peruse the Light Up the Night Christmas Market and take Selfies with Santa. A few people even took the opportunity to tape Mayor Steve Christie and Executive Director Maureen Mackenzie to some trees in support of the Arts Endowment fund.
City staff will be looking into seeing if the Lumenight, record attempt and other events scheduled for last Friday can take place early in the New Year.
“We are still in discussion, we don’t have anything pinned down yet, but in all likelihood, we will probably delay the world record attempt until next year. We will keep all of our supplies and try it again,” said Guy Lapointe, community and economic development manager for the City. “It’s just such a busy time of the year to reschedule something like that and get all the volunteers coordinated. It would be very difficult to reschedule.”