Volunteers needed

Times Reporter

 

Planning for the third annual Celebration of Lights has been underway for a while now, and organizers are excited to start again. Two and a half years ago the organizing group were approached about setting up a light theme park at the Agricultural society. They wanted something along the line of Airdrie’s Festival of Lights. In the first year alone they were able to put up close to 5,000 lights. 

“Last year we had a lot of volunteers help us with welding and building and we were able to build a globe and a few other displays for the second annual light up the (lights),” said Robert Desjardins, president of the Celebration of Lights Christmas Park. 

There was a western town façade put up, and the globe from the first year was rebuilt after it had been damaged. There is also a candy cane alley which welding students at Strathmore High School had built. 

“We just decorated the whole area as much as we could,” said Desjardins. 

This year fundraising efforts haven’t been as successful as in previous years but that won’t deter the group. They have also been applying for grants, which there hasn’t been a response to yet. 

Desjardins guarantees the event will be similar to last year but there will be some new displays, the park just won’t be expanding this year. 

The group is hoping to have a tent set up for people to stop in and warm up a bit if they need. 

This year the group is also taking over the Santa Claus parade, only with a twist. The parade will be taking place at 5 p.m. on November 27. There will be help available to anyone who needs to know how to display the lights on their float. 

 “We want to have it lit up and have a bit more of a Christmas ambience,” said Desjardins. 

The parade will end at the Ag grounds where a night of entertainment is planned before the unveiling of the Celebration of Lights with its new additions. 

“I think the challenge we’re facing right now is volunteers,” said Desjardins. The group is currently looking for volunteers to help get everything together and ready in time. They plan to approach different organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and the schools to see who may be able to help. They will still be looking for more volunteers in any event. 

Desjardins said the work would be split up, so a person doesn’t have to volunteer everyday if they don’t want to. 

If people aren’t able to volunteer their time, he suggested maybe donations of lights. The only requirement is they must be LED lights.  Either way the display will still go up even if Desjardins has to take time off to do it, he said. 

“For me it’s a passion, for Rose Hamrlik it’s a passion.  And it’s something that we just enjoy. It’s frustrating at times when we’re trying to meet deadlines and all that kind of stuff. But at the end of the day when it’s all up there and the light switch is turned on, it’s so worth it.”

Most of the displays going up are designed and made by people in town. Desjardins said he and the group feel there is so much talent in this town waiting to be used.