If you haven’t attended Cochrane Light Up in the past, this would be a good year to start.
An annual event that kicks off the winter and holiday season in Cochrane, Light Up has been lacking in a few key areas during the last few years, such as an actual light up.
A lot is changing Nov. 30, when Light Up will not only hold true to its name, but also up the ante in a myriad of ways in an effort to make the event bigger and better for years to come.
Running from 5-7 p.m., Light Up chair Marni Fedeyko said that all 18 firepots have been sponsored, with 14 sold and an additional four provided through a lottery system that saw several businesses vying sponsorship.
Raffle tickets are currently being sold until Nov. 27 for $2 at five local businesses (Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre, Grand Avenue Pharmacy, the Vintage Verandah, Global Pet Foods and Great Things in Store) with $4,000 worth of prizes being given to one of eight winners Light Up night.
All proceeds of the draw will be donated to Seniors on the Bow and the Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre.
In addition to Main St., sections of 2nd and 3rd Ave. will be utilized for Light Up.
MacKay’s Ice Cream, Sweet Temptations and Sugarbritches Candy have also jumped on board, with MacKay’s offering an ice cream flavour of cranberry cheesecake, Sweet Temptations, mint hot chocolate, and Sugarbritches, a fudge, all in the name of Cochrane Light Up.
Santa Claus will make his grand entrance on a fire truck to the ATCO stage, where fervent young children can get their picture taken with jolly old St. Nick and let him know what they’re hoping for Christmas morning.
Hayrides will be available for the kids, and an ice sculptor will add to the essence of the festivities.
As for the actual light up itself; a tree with 1,400 lights, along with the gazebo in the plaza area with an additional 4,200 lights will be the setting for the main attraction of this year’s event. Spray Lake Sawmills, to mark its 70th anniversary year, and Santa will flick the switch, lighting up the tree and plaza, and in turn, the spirit of many who attend.
Fedeyko said she is asking that downtown businesses turn any of their own Christmas lights they may have up off during the light up period and turn them back on as best they can during the flick of the switch to create the best light up possible.
This is what Light Up should be – an activity-filled festival that gives those of all ages a reason to come out into the cold and enjoy themselves.
Whether it be for the food, Santa, the opportunity to mingle, or simply to stir your youthful spirit, Cochrane Light Up has been a staple in the community for many years, and only strives to get better.
