Downtown will be lit up and the streets bustling with vendors and festival-goers in the much-anticipated Light Up Okotoks.
One of the Town’s biggest events of the year, Light Up Okotoks gets residents and visitors into the outdoors for horse-drawn wagon rides, photos with Santa Claus, craft markets, fireworks, late night shopping and plenty of food. The festivities run Nov. 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“It’s the kickoff for the Christmas season,” said Zach Adams, Okotoks community events specialist. “It’s great for community spirit and community giving and getting everybody together to celebrate the great things about Christmas.”
In less than four hours, spectators can listen to choirs perform at the Olde Towne Okotoks plaza stage, enjoy s’mores at Triangle Park, take in a Christmas market at the Elks Hall, take photos with Santa and do crafts at the Okotoks Museum and Archives, enjoy a market of hand-crafted items and vote on their favourite gingerbread creation at the Okotoks Art Gallery and decorate a Christmas tree and take part in a silent auction at the Okotoks Public Library.
“There’s something for everybody,” said Adams. “It’s something people can do together and celebrate together.”
The highlight of the night will be a welcome address by Okotoks Mayor Bill Robertson at 6:45 p.m., followed by an appearance from Santa Claus and the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Olde Towne Plaza at 7 p.m.
“Lighting up the tree is the focal point for the kickoff of the event,” said Adams. “When that tree goes on that’s the signaling that Christmas is coming.”
The approximately 10,000 people in attendance can keep warm with plenty of free hot chocolate, treats and giveaways offered by local vendors, businesses and organizations, as well as at fire pits located through Elizabeth Street, McRae Street and North Railway Street up to Lineham Avenue.
“Firepits give that good Christmasy feeling,” said Adams. “You’re all sitting around the fire pit and the snowflakes are falling.”
The evening will also provide several opportunities for people to give to local charities.
Among them are the Okotoks Food Bank's 18 Wheels of Christmas, the Western Wheel’s Wheel Cares campaign, Tree of Warmth at the Okotoks Art Gallery, the Veterans Food Bank and unwrapped gifts and gift cards for the Salvation Army, said Adams.
“There are some people who don’t get to have the same Christmas others do,” he said. “It’s just a way that the community can get together and show their support for a lot of local organizations and those in need.”
The festivities close at 9 p.m. with a fireworks display that can be viewed from downtown.
