LAC LA BICHE - Like the street it will run along, this year’s Light Up the Night parade in Lac La Biche will see a few changes over recent years.
The parade will still happen at night and still take place along Lac La Biche’s Main Street – but the start and finish locations have changed this year, says Charlyn Moore, a local realtor, municipal councillor and an organizer of the popular cold-weather community event.
Taking place on the night of December 6, Moore says this year’s procession will run along Main Street heading east instead of west, and end at McArthur Park, instead of the Northern Lights School Division office. A large tree will continue to be the focal point at the end of the parade, this one being set up in the newly landscaped McArthur Park area, where small trees have already been decorated in festive lighting. According to Moore, the "big tree” will be lit up at McArthur Park after the parade. As with other years, a ‘nuisance’ tree, one that needs to be cut down and will be transported to McArthur Park, is being donated for the event.
The Light Up the Night event gets underway at 6:30 p.m.
Moore says there is still room for local groups, businesses and individuals to get their parade entries registered. Organizers – consisting of local volunteers from the business community – are also hoping for a strong gathering of folks to come out for the festivities, which will include fireworks.
“We are still accepting floats, so I do hope that we have a good turn out,” Moore told Lakeland This Week on Nov. 28. “We typically see a few hundred people lining the street each year and quite a few floats.”
Santa and junior citizen
Jolly old Saint Nick will also be taking some time from his busy schedule making toys for good girls and boys to make an appearance at this year’s parade.
“We have confirmed that Santa will indeed be there,” Moore stated.
Over the past several years, the Light Up the Night event has also introduced the community to the newly appointed junior citizen of the year. This year, Moore said, nominations have been slowly coming in. She said although the selection has been limited, there are several strong candidates.
As stated in information on the Light Up The Light social media page, the 2024 Junior Citizen of the Year will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 5, one day before they participate in the parade and tree lighting.
Late-night shopping has also become part of the annual Light Up the Night parade, with Main Street businesses keeping their doors open well into the evening to attract shoppers who are in the area to watch the parade along with other events.
“We encourage local businesses to stay open late,” Moore said.
The Light Up event will also see local Kinsmen members working as parade marshals, with Portage College staff volunteering time to serve up hot chocolate. Lac La Biche County is sponsoring the fireworks display.
“There are many great companies that lend a hand to get ready for the event,” she said. “And we always have some local residents who come to help when we need it. We truly live in a great community.”
Those wanting to enter a float in this year’s parade are asked to register at the Light Up The Night social media page.
