The list of sponsors and donors, volunteers and helpers is filling up Santa’s Nice List for this Friday’s Light Up the Night Santa Parade and Christmas tree lighting.
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd is sponsoring the Junior Citizen of the Year presentation again this year. And it is the junior citizen who hits the button to light up Lac La Biche’s downtown Christmas tree.
The big tree was brought into town on Sunday with the help of local arborists Tree Monkeys, Lac La Biche Transport, municipal peace officers, the Lac La Biche Rotary Club, and the gang from Fortis who helped to string the giant tree with several volunteers from the local committee that has been planning the night-time light up and parade for the past three months.
Charlyn Moore is one of the people who have been involved in the Light up event’s planning for the last few years. The local municipal councilor, realtor, volunteer and mom, say the event shines a light on the region and highlights the community and family-feel of the season.
“This is a local project that I have been involved with for three years now. We have long, hard winters and it is so great to give the community something to come together for,” said Moore, who was out around the community with her 13 year old daughter last Friday night distributing posters for the event-now in its sixth year. “My daughter loves being a part of it, and looks forward to it every year. She helped me hang posters all over Main Street just so that we could get the word out.”
Moore and a core group of a dozen area residents, business people and service providers have again created an event with a lot of activities.
Parade, Santa, Tree, Choir, hot chocolate …
A downtown parade kicks off Friday night’s fun at 6:30. The parade route runs from the ATB on Main Street to the Northern Lights Public Schools office. Business floats and entries showing local organizations are welcome to register. One of the highlight entries each year is the Santa float. In past events, Jolly St. Nick has escorted the junior citizen of the year along the parade route. Community members are encouraged to line the sidewalks to cheer the nigh-time procession.
At the end of the parade, local schools will have their student choirs taking part with Christmas carols on the main stage. The Lac La Biche County Fun Van will also be near the Main Street main stage with activities and fun. After the introduction of this year’s Junior Citizen of the Year, the tree lights will be lit. In past years, there has also been a fireworks display to help light up the night, and local groups offer up hot chocolate, tea and bannock to keep out the winter chill.
“It is such a magically feeling to come around with your friends and neighbours and listen to the choir and watch the lights come on,” said Moore.
Helping others
The Light Up event this year is raising awareness — and hopefully stock — for the local Waskaysoo Food Bank. Donation boxes will be on site during the event.
Chris Best with Canadian Natural Resources has been part of the organizing panel since the event began.
“We look forward to seeing you and your families on Friday, December 13 at the parade,” said Best, speaking on behalf of the long list of the helpers. To see them all, click here.
Junior Citizen interview at www.LakelandToday
While organizers do know who the Junior Citizen will be — ‘she’ was selected from a list of several nominees from the community — the identity is to remain a mystery, until it is announced officially at Friday’s tree lighting.
A full interview of the Junior Citizen of the Year will be available at www.LakelandToday.ca at 7 pm. on Friday.
Those looking to put a float into the parade can contact parade coordinators at 780-623-3744.
