CANORA - n what is rapidly becoming a tradition that is looked forward to each year by Canora and area residents, this year’s Winter Lights Festival, held from Dec. 5-8, included numerous different events and attractions that were popular with visitors of pretty much all ages.
That kind of wide-ranging appeal has a positive effect throughout the community, according to Brandi Zavislak, community development officer.
“We get tons of tourists coming in for the Winter Lights Festival, and this year was no different,” said Zavislak. “It was a big success with people coming in to see our lights and the winter wonderland. They also go shopping at our stores and eat in our restaurants, so it’s a big thing for Canora. It’s Canora’s biggest tourism draw during the winter, other than the skating rink.”
Zavislak said she knew of visitors from as far away from Regina, but there may have been those who travelled even further.
“We are the only community that does this. Our first Winter Lights Festival was about eight years ago, and we’ve been adding to it over time.”
The lighting display around Canora keeps growing from year to year. Currently, the community has about 40 sponsored trees with light displays in memory of loved ones, but Zavislak said there are plenty of trees available for that number to grow in future years. Like just about everything else these days, the cost of sponsoring a tree has gone up.
“For the huge trees at the town office it’s about $2,000,” she indicated. “Small to medium-sized tree are in that $600 range, and really small trees start at around $300-plus.”
Zavislak shared that she has noticed more and more homeowners in Canora have started decorating their yards for Christmas since the beginning of the Winter Lights Festival.
The first day this year kicked off with the parade. Unlike the chilling cold of last year, this year’s parade took place under near perfect weather with temperatures just slightly below freezing and very little wind.
Leading the parade were Canora’s first responders: Canora/Sturgis RCMP, Canora Ambulance Care and Canora Fire Department.
Other local individuals, groups and businesses that took part included: Canora’s squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Lewis Cattle Oiler, Good Lake Electric, Soul Sis Spin Studio, Gateway Co-op, a Ranchero entered by Dolores Shukin and Jack Gehon, Crossroads Credit Union, the U9 Canora Cobras minor hockey team, and Cruisers Car Club, represented by an El Camino entered by Iona, Dave and Durban Wasyliw.
After the parade, many hung around King George Park where they had the option of listening to the Christmas music, taking in the lights display, going for a slide down the big snow hill, enjoying a horse-drawn wagon ride, or just spending a quiet moment around the blazing bonfire. There was also Skate with Santa at the Civic Centre, which included a number of members of the Canora Cobras senior hockey team.
“The sleigh rides were really popular, especially with the nice weather,” said Zavislak.
Inside the curling rink, free hot dogs and hot chocolate were provided by Canora Town Council and Crossroads Credit Union.
Other popular events that took place later in the week included the United Church Cookie Walk and Frozen Perogy Sale, and the Borscht & Perogy Lunch and Supper at Rainbow Hall.
Zavislak said promoting local businesses was a major focus all week long.
“We did lots of advertising, trying to get people to come to Canora to support our businesses.”
Zavislak said work is already underway for next year’s Canora Winter Lights Festival.
“In recent years we started using commercial lights for the displays, but when we first started people just bought their own lights. Now the lights aren’t working well and many need upgrading. We’re so thankful for the Canora Public Works Department for the work they do on this and other projects.”
As usual, there was a great deal of positive feedback. When asked about plans for next year’s Winter Lights Festival, Zavislak encouraged everyone to “wait for surprises later.”
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