A festival set to happen this coming weekend will kick of the holiday season in Red Deer.
Red Deer Lights the Night will take place in downtown Red Deer on Nov. 21st. The festival, which runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in City Hall Park and on Ross Street is presented by Stantec and hosted by the City of Red Deer and the Downtown Business Association.
“We are thrilled to be hosting this event this year as it’s become a fan favourite for Red Deerians,” said Annette Scheper, community program facilitator for the City of Red Deer. “There’s something about those twinkling lights that sparks a wonderful holiday spirit in kids and adults alike.
“We do kick off the holiday season, we get the community together and we have a great time. It’s a great family event.”
The event will include the officially lighting of City Hall Park and Red Deer’s biggest Christmas Tree at 5:15 p.m. followed by a fireworks show. Families can take in the live entertainment, a winter market, crafts and games for the kids, free hot chocolate and popcorn, and of course, a visit from Santa.
“People can expect similar events to what has happened in the past. We haven’t overly changed anything, but we have added some more components to it to up the value of the event to our community,” said Scheper, pointing to the fact the festival has previously been run by the Fesitval of Trees. “The DBA is planning on bringing in a 30’ by 60’ warming tent that will include a stage and a beverage service as well. There will also be a quaint winter market that will run and there is a Santa booth that is being created and it is one of our environmental components where 95 per cent of it is reduce, reuse, recycle.
“Santa will be on site from 4-6 p.m. so all of the kids will have a chance to visit with him. And we’ll have the Overdue Blues Band who will be performing some lovely Christmas songs that everyone can enjoy.”
After the event City Hall Park will be lit up until about Jan. 11th and Red Deerians are encouraged to take in the site as nightly from 6-8:30 p.m. there will be a light show timed with music.
“It is a lovely walkabout in the park and the tree on the corner of City Hall Park will have this light show going on so you can enjoy some Christmas music over the holidays and after Christmas it will switch to some classical music to keep us going through the frivolities of the winter,” said Scheper.
Anyone that wishes to volunteer for the event can call 403-309-4091. For more information on Red Deer Lights the Night, check out www.reddeer.ca/reddeerlights.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
