Lacombe Light Up the Night officially kicked off last night, Thursday November 21st. Lacombians enjoyed parades, shopping, food, and the light display at the Lest We Forget Park at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.

“It was a lead-up and deservedly so. We had a great night and I think record crowds. Some people have said 8,000. It was the biggest and best ever for the parade and for Light up the Night. It was awesome,” said Grant Creasey, City of Lacombe Mayor.

The increase in crowds could be because of the more favourable weather. In past years, many Light up the Night crowds may have been deterred by very cold weather but last night, the temperature was manageable and people were able to enjoy the holiday activities without freezing or putting on too many uncomfortable layers.

Overall, the feedback was positive according to the Community and Economic Development Manager with the City of Lacombe Guy Lapointe.

“I think people especially appreciated the parade. I mean the mayor was saying to be earlier, ‘who else does parades?’. It’s only a handful of parades in Central Alberta and I don’t think anybody gets the turnout that we do. It really is a great kick-off to the season and something that I think is special to Lacombe,” said Lapointe.

There were around 30-35 parade floats and displays this year, a typical amount for the average Santa Claus parade in Lacombe. Many of the floats were so big they had to adjust their displays as they went under the powerlines on the parade route.

After the parade, many people gathered at the LMC to see the light display.

“The entire grounds at the LMC were packed with people, everybody was in a great mood, and everybody was here to see the light turned on, it was wonderful,” said Creasey.

For Lapointe, turning on the display is always a bit stressful.

“I always panic a little bit because the first few years that we did this the lights didn’t come on. So, for me, it’s a big win as long as those lights go on,” explained Lapointe.

Overall, it was a fantastic start to Lacombe’s Light up the Night. However, the holiday activities are not over and will continue until Sunday, November 24th. For more information about the Light Up the Night or other holiday activities going on the area, click here.