The holiday season will begin in style on Friday, Nov. 22 when Light Up Okotoks takes over Olde Towne.
The seasonal celebration features a host of holiday favourites from wagon rides and stage entertainment to the lighting of the community Christmas tree and a fireworks finale.
"It’s a really incredible kick-off to the holiday season and especially with it being the last week in November this year, I feel like it might be a little bit more jovial even than last year,” said Connie Drake, community events specialist with the Town of Okotoks.
Light Up activities, which run from 5:30 to 9 p.m., will stretch along Elizabeth, McRae and North Railway streets, with a S’mores station at one end and a Kids Zone, featuring photos with Santa and a dance party, at the other.
From fire pits to photo booths, there’s much in between, including Olde Towne Plaza where the winner of the Sheep River Health Trust’s Flip the Switch contest will illuminate the tree at 7 p.m. Carolers will take the stage prior to the tree lighting while the fire show from Indigo Circus will heat things up later in the evening.
There will also be activities at the Arts and Learning Campus Plaza, including a mini-market, ice sculpting, dance party and more.
The popular wagon rides will depart from the plaza area, taking riders along the pathway system by the river before returning via South Railway Street. Sign up for wagon rides is mostly done online but there will be wagons available on a first come, first served basis.
All Light Up activities are free, but those attending are encouraged to bring non-perishable items to Cram-a-Cruiser, an initiative by the RCMP to support the Okotoks Food Bank. A Christmas Charity Truck will also be collecting cash and toys in support of local children's charities.
With parking at a premium, shuttle buses will run from Viking Rentals Centre and Seaman Stadium between 5 and 10:30 p.m.
Drake said Light Up, which started as a tiny festival more than three decades ago, now draws thousands to Olde Towne, both locals and visitors from throughout the region and beyond, shutting down two kilometres of roads for an epic street party.
“Last year I spoke with someone from Ontario and she was literally planning her holidays around when Light Up was this year so that she could come back because she just enjoyed the event so much,” she said.
Drake said the festival as it’s configured wouldn’t be possible without the support of the business community, including title sponsor Okotoks GM and principal sponsors ATB, Fortis Alberta, Canadian Tire and the Wood Automotive Group.
For more information, visit okotoks.ca/lightup.
