The Christmas countdown is on.
When this edition hits the streets, there’ll be 41 days to go before Santa comes a-calling.
Where does the time fly?
Maybe it’s because we had a somewhat abbreviated fall, what with snow on the ground for Halloween.
But with Remembrance Day now over, our collective attention can turn to Christmas. And for Westlock, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without Light Up.
Running Nov. 16-19 this year, Light Up has always been the community’s pre-Christmas shindig. Some years have been great, while others not so much, but there’s always been one constant — the smiles on kids’ faces when they get to meet Santa in person.
Pictures with Santa, hot chocolate and Christmas carols … that’s a pretty good recipe for success, and it’s one that’s continued throughout the history of Light Up.
This year’s version appears to be shaping up nicely so be sure check out Pages 10-15 for not only on what’s going on Thursday to Sunday, but what our local retailers are doing.
Now we haven’t banged the ‘Shop Local’ drum in a while, but now is as good a time as any.
Events like Light Up or the fair or “take your pick” happen because of the tireless work of volunteers.
But there’s also another important group that deserves kudos, and that’s our local business owners, who invariably foot the bill for many of these events via sponsorship bucks.
Folks, free hot chocolate is only free because a business donated the money to buy it.
Trophies get handed out at the demo derby because some local business helped pay for them.
We get that it’s 2017 and everything you’d ever want to buy is only a click-of-a-mouse away.
But last time we checked Amazon and eBay aren’t sponsoring anything locally and the same goes for St. Albert brick and mortars like Walmart or Costco.
So while you’re taking in Light Up, or even after the event is over, be sure to do some of your Christmas shopping locally.
Keeping your dollars here keeps Westlock alive.
