ESTEVAN — The annual Festival of Lights will brighten the holiday season starting Dec. 15, transforming Woodlawn Regional Park into a winter wonderland of festive displays and community cheer.
The two-week-long event begins with the much-anticipated Christmas in the Park celebration at and around Doug Third Hall on Dec. 15.
From 3:30-6:30 p.m., families can enjoy a variety of activities leading up to the grand fireworks finale.
"It's a community event for everyone to come out and enjoy," said park manager Maureen Daoust. "We'll have our awesome fireworks show at the end at 6:30, and then we light up the park."
The park will remain illuminated every night through Jan. 1, with lights coming on at dusk and running for approximately six hours.
This year's Festival of Lights is set to be the largest yet, with nearly 60 participants contributing creative light displays, up from around 53 last year.
"We have 58 confirmed participants and hope to reach 60," Daoust said on Thursday.
This year, visitors can tune their FM radios to a dedicated station as they enter the park to enjoy Christmas greetings and holiday music, a feature introduced last year. Information about the station will be available on a billboard upon entering.
"We gave participants the option to include Christmas greetings this year, and about half chose to participate," Daoust explained.
Additionally, music is planned to accompany the fireworks display at the Christmas in the Park event for the first time, adding a new level of festivity.
Although the event is nearing capacity, Daoust noted they might still accept a few more participants.
"We can probably find space for more," she said, encouraging any interested groups to get in touch soon.
The Christmas in the Park and Festival of Lights are a collaborative effort, she added, with local businesses and organizations playing a key role. Sponsors and supporters such as the Estevan Chamber of Commerce, Henders Drugs, Energy Electric and The Brick have donated items and services to make the event a success.
"We always are grateful to our sponsors," Daoust said.
Both Christmas in the Park and the Festival of Lights are free to the public, with a donation box available for those who wish to support the park's upkeep at the end of the light display drive.
