Woodlawn Regional Park is going to host a couple of special events to help spread Christmas cheer in the community.
Christmas in the Park will take place on Dec. 16, starting at 3 p.m. at Rotary Park. Santa Claus will be in attendance, and there will be opportunities for photos. If the weather co-operates, there will be horse-drawn sleigh rides, winter activities, bonfires and free hot dogs and hot chocolate from Southern Plains Co-op.
A winter fireworks display will take place after dusk, which will lead into the start of the second annual Festival of Lights.
“When the fireworks are over, we will flip on the main breaker in the park and light it up,” said park business manager Maureen Daoust.
The Festival of Lights runs form Dec. 16-31. The park will be open from 5-10 p.m. nightly for people to come down and view all of the beautiful Christmas light displays. Local businesses and organizations will be participating.
The displays will be in the main campground area, although the route has changed slightly.
“We’re hoping the evening of Christmas in the Park to have some people on hand with some maps, and we’re going to have some cones and pylons up just to guide people,” said Daoust.
There will also be a freewill offering in case people want to support the initiative.
One organization that was part of Christmas in the Park last year wasn’t able to participate this year, but nine new organizations have signed up, bringing the park to about 20 participating businesses and organizations.
“We’ve had lots of positive comments, lots of people asking us if we’re doing it again. It’s been enjoyed by one and all. Whether you’re a senior or have a young family, it seems to put people in the festive spirit.”
Prizes will be handed out for the best business, best non-profit and best of the show.
Thanks to the success of last year, the park’s authority and management wanted to ensure the Festival of Lights happened again. Daoust wasn’t working at the park at the time, but her family’s business, Energy Electric, won the best business entry award.
“We had lots of people tell us they went down more than once in that time frame, just to do a drive-through,” said Daoust. “People would bathe their kids and put them in their cars … and get into the spirit of Christmas, and go home and tuck them into bed.”
Lots of families still do twinkle tours in Estevan so that their kids can see the brightly decorated homes, and Daoust believes the Festival of Lights brings all sorts of displays into one central location.
“It’s a good way for our park to promote the joy of the holiday season,” said Daoust.
