It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Downtown Red Deer was decked out for the holiday season Saturday, when hundreds of Red Deerians and Central Albertans came out to light up the neighbourhood.
Charlotte Chase said the Red Deer Lights the Night event gives her a sense of community.
Chase said she hasn’t taken part in the festival in many years, and the event has changed – for the better.
“There’s lots of activities for families and it’s fantastic,” she said, adding family and friends are her favourite part of Christmas.
“It feels like a small community… it’s sense of community versus big city,” said the Red Deer resident. “It’s small-town feel. It’s what you want in a community where you live and raise kids.”
The annual festival celebrates the start of the holiday season with the lighting of City Hall Park and the Christmas Holiday Tree. Those who came out enjoyed live music, snacks and activities such as tennis and bowling. Many stopped by vendors and shopped local at the HSBS Winter Market.
For Cassandra Choi and her one-year-old daughter Isla, the free hot chocolate at the festival was a big hit.
“It feels like a community-type event.” said Choi.
Dan Roadhouse said the festival is a “great way to kick off the holiday season.”
“Everybody is in a good mood. The city does a great job of putting this on,” he said, adding he’d been to Red Deer Lights the Night before.
“Just a festive atmosphere and it puts a smile on your face, for sure.”
Late night shopping also started in downtown Red Deer on Saturday. The Red Deer Downtown Business Association states many stores will stay open until 8 p.m. or later for the holiday season.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
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