An Okotoks fan-favourite is returning this week to launch the local holiday season.
Light Up Okotoks is back for its 30th year, marking the beginning of the time to give.
Town community event specialist Connie Drake said the community's large showing at the return of regular events this year has left her and her team planning for a big return of Light Up.
"We anticipate that this is going to be the busiest year we've ever seen for Light Up," she said. "People are really starting to get in the spirit of the holiday season and this is really going to be a beautiful kick-off because not only do we have an incredible amount of participation from our business community and from our service groups, we also probably have the most outstanding weather we've experienced in a long time for a Light Up event.
"You put all those things together and it just makes for a really nice coming together of the community."
The event will see the lighting of the community Christmas tree at the Olde Towne Plaza. New this year, a youngster will flip the switch to illuminate the tree, thanks to a raffle by the Sheep River Health Trust.
Also on the agenda are cozy fire pits, wagon rides, choir performances, late night shopping and the Spirit of Christmas Artisan Market put on by Okotoks Market Square. Market booths will be set-up at the Elks Hall Friday evening and Saturday.
Wagon rides will be by sign-up only, according to Drake. Keep your eyes peeled for more information on the Town website.
Also on the calendar is the Tree of Warmth, gingerbread station, hot chocolate and take away crafts at the Okotoks Art Gallery, an Old Fashioned Christmas Exhibit at the Okotoks Museum, choir performances at the Towne Plaza main stage and performances by Trinity Drake and Jayden Stewart, Brettyn Rose, the Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra and the Goodger-Pink Family Theatre at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre.
A surprise sculpture art display will also be set up for the community to view in the plaza of the Arts and Learning Campus.
Santa himself is also expected to make an appearance for photos for the kids and kids at heart.
The night will continue with performances by fire dancers at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and finish off with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
Okotoks RCMP has also teamed up with the Okotoks Food Bank for the second-annual Cram-a-Cruiser.
The food bank will be on site collecting non-perishable food items, selling cookbooks and collecting cash donations. All food items will be "crammed in" to the police cruiser. Suggested donations include canned fruit, jams, boxed macaroni and cheese, laundry detergent, baby food, peanut butter, cereal and canned soup.
RCMP members and food bank volunteers will be set up from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Light Up night, at the southeast corner of Veterans Way and McRae Avenue.
Road closures will be in place on the day of the event. Elizabeth Street, McRae Street and North Railway Street from Northridge Drive to Lineham Avenue and South Railway Street, east of Riverside Gate to Lineham Avenue will be closed from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
