LAC LA BICHE - There are many interesting ways to ring in the new year, including going for a swim while being bathed in a multitude of bright colours.
On the afternoon of Dec. 31, a group of people gathered at Portage Pool in the hamlet of Lac La Biche to celebrate the new year by participating in the annual Glow Swim event.
Many of the lights inside the community aquatic facility were turned off for the swim, and the water was illuminated by multicoloured glow sticks. Swimmers also wore arm and headbands made of glow sticks that changed colours.
The Glow Swim has become an annual tradition in the Lac La Biche area in recent years. According to Sarah Jackson, Lac La Biche County’s aquatics services supervisor, the fun social activity first took place in 2019.
“The initial idea came from one of our staff members, and it’s been a popular event ever since,” Jackson told Lakeland This Week.
Jackson continued by saying the Glow Swim is a low-cost recreation event for families, youth, and individuals of all ages to enjoy and celebrate the new year with friends and family.
“We were fortunate this year to receive grant funding from Pembina Pipelines, which allowed us to offer this year’s Glow Swim as a free event for the community,” she stated.