The fourth annual Festival of Lights will be the biggest one there has ever been.
With still a couple of days left before the opening, the Woodlawn Regional Park had 39 businesses, organizations and private people partaking in the festival and setting up their Christmas light displays at the park. Twenty-seven of those are returning, and 12 are new.
Maureen Daoust, who is the business manager at the Woodlawn Regional Park, said that so far everything is falling into place for another great season for the holiday attraction, and they are very excited about the number of participants they have this year.
"We are very pleased with the new groups that are coming, and obviously we applaud those that are returning," she said.
This year the park opened the Festival of Lights to families, charitable organizations and service clubs, and that attracted quite a few new groups.
"There was a couple of families (that joined). There was a group of seasonal campers that decided to do (a display). There is another site that is a local person. And we also had a couple of services come. The Kinettes have joined, the group with the Faith Lutheran Church, they also registered and are decorating their space down here. EMS are joining, Southeast Military Museum and other retail (stores) or businesses," said Daoust.
She added that they had a lot of groups responding and willing to partake in the festival. So this year's Festival of Lights will be a great collection of displays created by local businesses, community organizations and families for the public to enjoy over the holiday season.
All displays are already installed, and now the park staff is going around, setting timers and putting the last touches on.
The festival will start on Dec. 18 at the dusk. While this year they couldn't have their traditional Kick off to Christmas Party, there still will be something special for those who choose to be the first ones to visit the site.
The Southern Plains Co-op will be on site handing out hot chocolate and candy canes to visitors driving or walking through the gatehouse. Besides, the park will have a decorated spot, where anybody who wants to will be able to take a picture with Santa. Daoust pointed out that all precautionary measures will be in place to ensure a safe experience.
"We are trying to keep the momentum going and put everything in a positive light," said Daoust. "Hopefully people will be following the guidelines and being safe and will come out whether in cars or on foot to enjoy the first night of the lights."
In 2019, the park had 31 participants, in 2018 there were 25 displays, and the year before 11 organizations joined the initiative. While most of them returned this year, some also changed or updated their displays.
"We get a lot of positive feedback from the participants and a lot of positive feedback from people in the community. And a lot of comments are, 'Now more than ever.' People are wanting something to look forward to and it's something we can offer in a safe manner," Daoust said.
The festival wouldn't be possible if not for the main supporters, including Southern Plains Co-op, Henders Drugs, Energy Electric Limited and the Estevan Chamber of Commerce.
The festival will continue until Jan. 8, 2021. The event is traditionally free of charge, but there will a box for donations if people choose to support the initiative and the park.
