The City of Lacombe’s Light Up the Night will be going forward with a few changes. Lacombe and area residents can look forward to several fun activities starting on Thursday, November 25th until Saturday, November 27th.
The Echo Energy Santa Claus Parade will be kicking off the festivities on Thursday evening at 6:00 PM. People and local businesses can still apply to be a part of the parade, here.
“We're looking at extending the parade route and then we're not going to do a tree lighting. We're going to have the lights on already, so there will be less of a reason for people to meet up at the LMC. Then lastly, AHS has said that physical in-person visits with Santa are not able to be done yet, at this point, so Santa won't end the parade at the LMC. He'll just keep going on and there'll be a bit of an extension,” explained Guy LaPointe, Director of Community Services for the City of Lacombe.
Here's a look at this year's parade route:
Something that will be a little different this year is a performance by the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre.
“The Performing Arts Center is offering a presentation called Scrooged Up. I believe that was actually produced by themselves, which is kind of interesting. In the past they’ve done things like It's a Wonderful Life and they've done A Christmas Carol but this is actually, I think written in house by them,” explained LaPointe.
A couple other favorites coming to the city include Skate with Buddy the Elf, the Lacombe Christmas Faire, and the Under $100 Art Market. Although the Lacombe Memorial Centre will be operating at one third capacity, some indoor activity venues may be operating with the Restriction Exemption Program in place.
Later on in December, the City will also be hosting fireworks at Cranna Lake.
LaPointe says that hosting the fireworks at Cranna Lake was a bit easier to consider social distancing when planning compared to the tree lighting at the LMC.
“Ultimately, the idea being that when you're at a place like Cranna, people will be able to socially distance a lot easier over a big space whereas at the LMC, you're talking about a one or two block radius where there's probably thousands of people,” explained LaPointe.
Additionally, the City will be hosting their Community Lights Competition and are currently accepting applications for some of the most well decorated houses. Those who want to participate can find the application, here. Those who apply will be added to a map that will be available to the public at a later date.
Overall, LaPointe says planning this year’s Light Up the Night hasn’t been easy but worth the extra work and considerations.
“I know that it's a big night for a number of businesses in the community. I think that's why we've worked hard to make sure that this event moves forward. Obviously, it's different than years past, but we're doing our best to ensure that the event moves forward and it hopefully results in in some added sales for these businesses that have been struggling over the last two years now,” LaPointe added.
Here’s a look at the schedule of events for Light Up the Night:
Thursday, November 25
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
Time: 9 AM to 3 PM
Location: Lacombe Performing Arts Centre
Book Sale
Time: 5 PM to 8PM
Location: Lacombe Memorial Centre
Lacombe Christmas Faire
Time: 4 PM to 9 PM
Location: Lacombe Memorial Centre
Under $100 Art Market
Time: 4 AM to 9 PM
Location: Lacombe Memorial Centre
Echo Energy Santa Claus Parade
Time: 6 PM
Location: Parade route TBA
Moonlight Madness
Lacombe’s local businesses downtown and in the Lacombe Centre Mall will be open late and some will have special promotions.
Friday, November 26
Lacombe Christmas Faire
Time: 10 AM to 6 PM
Location: Lacombe Memorial Centre
Under $100 Art Market
Time: 10 AM to 6 PM
Location: Lacombe Memorial Centre
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
Time: 5 PM to 9 PM
Location: Lacombe Performing Arts Centre
Skate with Buddy
Time: 6:45PM to 8:15 PM
Location: Can Pak Ice Complex #2
Scrooged Up!
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Lacombe Performing Arts Centre
Saturday, November 27
Lacombe Christmas Faire
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Location: Lacombe Memorial Centre
Under $100 Art Market
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Location: Lacombe Memorial Centre
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
Time: 12 PM to 9 PM
Location: Lacombe Performing Arts Centre
Scrooged Up!
Time: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Location: Lacombe Performing Arts Centre
Free Christmas Swim
Time: 5:15PM to 8:15PM
Location: Lacombe Kinsmen Aquatic Centre
Friday, December 17
Fireworks
Time: 8:00PM
Location: Cranna Lake
For more information on events, click here.