by Morinville News Staff
Lite Up The Nite is coming up and this year there will be even more reasons to take in the Christmas festival, which runs November 27 to 29.
“It’s another opportunity for this community to celebrate just what kind of dynamic community it is,” said Allen Jacobson, Morinville’s community events coordinator. “It’s a celebration of the season, of Christmas, of the community, and of sharing.”
It all begins at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27 when a bus and Santa Claus appear at No Frills for the Fill-A-Bus event in support of the Morinville Food Bank. Everyone is encouraged to bring a donation to help fill the bus. It will be at No Frills until 1 p.m. and then at Sobeys from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The deadline for the Annual Best Lights Competition is also on Friday, at 4 p.m. For information call Community Services at 780-939-7839.
This year’s Friday night event is a free Family Dance at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Those who would prefer to take in a hockey game can see the Morinville Jets take on the Beverly Warriors at 8:30 p.m.at the Ray McDonald Sports Centre.
Events on Saturday, Nov. 28 kick-off with the Lions Pancake Breakfast with Santa, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Rendez-Vous Centre, 9913-100 Avenue. Cost is $5 per person or $10 per family.
The Children’s Festival, featuring free activities for kids including crafts, games, face painting, bouncy castle photos with Santa, runs from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre. There will also be performances of Christmas Stories by Quest Theatre at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and a hot dog lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
A Youth Christmas Festival will run from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m in the cultural centre mezzanine, aimed at youth 11 and older.
The Annual Christmas Farmer’s Market will be going on from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Morinville Community High School.
The cultural centre is the starting point for the Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m. During the parade, postal workers will be going along the route collecting children’s letters addressed to Santa.
Following the parade is Light Up The Park, during which the illuminated displays in St. Jean Baptiste Park get lit for the season, and then fireworks will be set off in the open field at Morinville Public School.
On Sunday, Nov. 29 there will be a free family skate with Santa from 12:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Ray McDonald facility.
Judging of the Best Lights Competition will begin at 6 p.m. and a Quartette Christmas will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the show are $40 for adults and $35 for seniors and students. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door but can be advance purchased at the cultural centre.
Jacobson said one of the best things about the inclusive, family-oriented event is that it brings people together to start the season.
“It’s the lighting up of the season and Morinville’s lighting up the Christmas season,” he said. “IT’s really a community beginning to the Christmas season.”
