There is something magical, symbolic and even a touch romantic about Morinville’s Light Up the Night Christmas Festival.
After all, no one enjoys a sunset at 4:30 p.m. We can bundle up to keep warm, but it’s the darkness that brings out the blues.
So when Santa Claus flips the switch this Saturday at the renowned St. Jean Baptiste Park bright lights display, there’s bound to be a deafening cheer.
Over 30 trees, both conifer and broadleaf, are decorated with thousands of feet of light strings. Under the trees are dazzling, whimsical life-size displays with every common Christmas symbol – the Nativity scene, elves, Santa, candy canes, wreaths and reindeer.
Now in its 19th year, the three-day festival running Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 is Morinville’s official foray into Christmas, a much-anticipated event that captures the imaginations and hearts of the community.
“From where I am, you can see the wonderful community spirit. People are very appreciative of it. And it has that small-town feel where everybody gets involved. Businesses are on board, residents are volunteering and the park is so beautiful when it’s all lit up,” says Allen Jacobson, festival chair.
More than 300 volunteers and town staff have devoted their energies to providing activities ranging from a concert, circus act, craft sale and Santa skate to hockey games, children’s activities, movie and traditional fireworks.
Perhaps the most anticipated event is the Christmas Parade on Saturday starting at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre and winding down Main Street to St. Jean Baptiste Park.
Along the way Jacobson noted, Canada Post employees in full uniform will collect the children’s letters to Santa. The jolly red man, sitting in his float, will be given the letters at the park just before he throws the light-up switch.
The Friday night kick-off starts off with a bang as David James and Big River launch into a Johnny Cash tribute at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre at 8 p.m.
A half hour later at the Ray McDonald Sports Centre, the Morinville Jets square off with the St. Albert Merchants. Admission is free with a donation for the food bank.
Saturday is children’s day. The traditional Lions Pancake Breakfast with Santa starts bright and early at 8 a.m. followed by a children’s festival of free activities at the cultural centre.
They can expect crafts, games, photos with Santa, a bouncy castle and hot dog lunch. The afternoon’s centrepiece are two shows with Flyin’ Bob – One Man Circus at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
While children are free to enjoy a bounty of activities, a craft fair for parents has been planned at Morinville Community High School. Over 70 vendors will be in attendance. Farmers’ market manager Korien Sampson is reminding visitors that a $2 admission fee is instituted with profits going to Friends of Morinville Library Society.
After the parade at 6:30 p.m., Bernie Houle has organized one of his spectacular 20-minute fireworks displays.
“I’ve got 297 shells and they will go off every four seconds,” Houle said
Sunday is laid-back family day starting at 1:30 p.m. with a Santa skate at Ray McDonald Sports Arena followed by a 6 p.m. movie at the cultural centre. This year’s film is The Santa Clause starring Tim Allen. It follows the adventures of a man who accidentally kills Santa and is magically recruited to take his place.
Donald Fairweather, operations manager for public works would like to remind the public that due to the Saturday parade, Main Street will be barricaded from the cultural centre to the St. Jean Baptiste Park starting at 4 p.m.
For complete list of festival events visit www.morinville.ca.
