Lite Up the Nite Festival shines for three days

Picture St. Jean Baptiste Park lit up with strings of lights. Christmas carols playing softly in the distance. Snowflakes floating gently from the sky.

If you want an old-fashioned holiday experience similar to It’s a Wonderful Life, then take a trip to the Town of Morinville this weekend to celebrate the annual Lite Up the Nite Festival.

The three-day festival, extending from Nov. 27 to 29, is organized through the Town of Morinville, numerous community partners and a dedicated core of volunteers.

“Because it’s such a young community (average age 34 years), it’s a great reason to celebrate youth, family and to see what is going on with other groups,” said Allen Jacobson, Morinville’s community development co-ordinator and volunteer committee chair.

The festival weekend fires up this Friday with the successful Fill-A-Bus campaign for the Morinville Food Bank Society. As in past years, the bus will be stationed at No Frills in the morning at Sobeys in the afternoon.

The Fill-A-Bus collected nearly 3,000 kilograms of food last year and this year the goal is “to do better,” noted Jacobson.

Friday evening rounds out with a spirited family dance under the deft leadership of D.J. Mike Palmer.

“He’s done three or four shows for us and people really enjoy him. He dresses up and brings a light show. He plays music the kids all love. He gets the kids up and dancing on the floor and the kids drag their parents. Everybody has a lot of fun.”

Saturday shifts into high gear with the Lions’ early morning pancake breakfast at the legion followed by children’s activities and entertainment at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre.

In addition to crafts, games, face-painting and a bouncy castle, Calgary based Quest Theatre will present two short shows at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

A company dedicated to family theatre since 1984, Quest creates two original shows each year and tours the shows provincially and nationally.

Morinville Community High School also steps up and throws open its doors for the annual Christmas Farmers’ Market.

The town parade, one of the festival highlights, is eagerly anticipated this year. Last year it was cancelled due to minus 35 C weather said Jacobson.

“It starts at 5:30 p.m. at the cultural centre and goes to St. Jean Baptiste Park where Mr. and Mrs. Claus will throw the switch to light up the park.”

Immediately after St. Jean Baptiste lights up the cornucopia of outdoor Christmas displays, Bernie Houle caps off the evening with a 20-minute, explosive fireworks display.

Sunday is more low-key with a family skate at Ray MacDonald Sports Centre and judging for the Best Lights Competition.

Quartette closes the festival with a concert of their special brand of Christmas.

“This festival is a great way to spend the weekend with family and friends. And if you’ve never been to Morinville, it’s an opportunity to see this little town that is on the periphery of the capital region. And it’s a great opportunity just to kick-off Christmas.”