It would be hard to find a better example of the Town of Westlock’s other motto, “a community with spirit,” than Light Up.
This humble event, put together by a dedicated team of volunteers, was supported by hundreds of citizens, businesses, organizations and community leaders. The crowd which turned out for parade on Friday night was huge and so was the queue to get into Memorial Hall.
It might have been below freezing, and the wind did have a nasty bite to it, but the smiles and Christmas spirit of everyone gathered gave the whole event a warming glow. Later, during the activities at Memorial Hall, or on the hayrides, or at the fireworks, we saw everything that makes life in our community great.
People were laughing, smiling and enjoying each other’s company. It wasn’t about anything else that the shear pleasure of spending time with those we care most about.
You would be hard pushed to find a more well behaved bunch of kids than those that were out and about. We didn’t see one tantrum or one sulky face.
If the kids of Westlock have been that way all year, then Santa better take out a second mortgage on the North Pole because it’s going to be a costly visit in a month’s time. The bigger “kids” at the events, that is to say the senior students from R.F. Staples and St. Mary School, were just as awesome.
Whether it was running the concession or guiding little ones through the Little Elf Workshop, those who gave up their Friday night deserve credit.
While a night like Light Up is really for little kids, it seems everyone got something from it.
Non-stop, from the start of the parade to the end of the fireworks, moms and dads, aunties and uncles, grandmas and grandpas — our biggest kids — were catching up with each other.
It could have been a few hours since people last saw each other, or it could have a few months — you honestly couldn’t tell, it was the same exuberance.
Light Up organizers and volunteers did an excellent job — we are incredibly lucky we have people in our community of such calibre and willingness that can put on something like this.
