Woodlawn Regional Park kick-started its annual Christmas festivities by hosting Christmas in the Park and launching its Festival of Lights on Sunday.
Christmas in the Park was held in the afternoon at Rotary Park. There was a slow start at first, as the event began at the same time as the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train was arriving in the city.
But once the Holiday Train wrapped up, the public flocked to the park for photos with Santa Claus, horse-drawn carriage rides, a bonfire, road hockey with the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins, crafts and snacks.
After dusk, the park held its annual winter fireworks display, to the delight of the hundreds of people who viewed the show. Many more could see the fireworks from within Estevan.
Park business manager Maureen Daoust said the fireworks last year were outstanding, and this year they were even better.
“It is actually quite interesting to have them in the winter, whereas I think we’re all used to having them at fair time or on July 1,” said Daoust.
It’s not particularly difficult having winter fireworks, she said, based on what she has heard from Big Bang Fireworks, the company responsible for the show.
The fireworks were launched from the Cossette Park Ball Diamonds in the east edge of the park, and the Estevan RCMP was present to provide crowd control.
Once the fireworks were finished, the lights were switched on for the Festival of Lights. Local businesses and organizations have set up displays of Christmas lights and decorations inside the campground adjacent to the Souris River.
“The park looks awesome,” said Daoust. “We had a sneak peek last night, of course. We made sure that everything was good to go, and made sure that everything is plugged in at all of our sites.”
Last year the Festival of Lights had 11 entries, and this year there are about 25.
“There is definitely a lot more interest,” said Daoust. “We have a few people, too, who are looking forward to actually participating in 2019, they weren’t just ready to commit this year.”
Many of the entries are brightly and elaborately decorated, and should attract the public’s attention.
Daoust believes the Festival of Lights helps people get into the Christmas spirit.
The Festival of Lights will be open nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. until Dec. 31. There have also been some special attractions as part of the Festival of Lights, as the Estevan Comprehensive School’s choir will perform on Monday night, and there will be a wiener roast as well.
A Christmas campfire singalong will happen on Tuesday, and there will be storytelling and hot chocolate on Wednesday.
All activities start at 6 p.m., and are dependent on the weather conditions.
