Cathy Dobson
Sarnians are saying loud and clear they don’t want the Celebration of Lights cancelled and are pitching in to bring it back from the brink, says elated chairman Bill Suisham.
At least 32 displays will light up Centennial Park later this month thanks to a strong response from clubs, sports teams, schools, churches and families, he said.
“Until we announced we had to cancel we had so little support. It felt like, if nobody cared, we might have to walk away from it completely,” Suisham said.
But the community has shown it doesn’t want the 32-year-old tradition to die.
Suisham credits Royal LePage sales rep Jenn Johnson for organizing a meeting to inform the public when things looked really bleak.
“She was the catalyst. Then the Seaway Kiwanis got on board and announced a $7,500 donation and that they’d adopt four displays.
“It just took off from there,” he said.
No big corporations have offered support but a wide range of labour groups and local businesses are contributing money and volunteer hours.
Organizers are asking groups to voluntarily “adopt” a light display, repair it and set it up in the park. They have 32 commitments and the promise of a six-week festival that will outshine last year’s version.
About 40 students at Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School adopted four displays and will travel to the park on buses provided by the city.
The Celebration of Lights has struggled in recent years amid complaints the lights and displays are shrinking. Suisham now thinks the volunteer-driven event has turned a corner.
“It was a wake-up call in October when we said we’d cancel,” he said. “We’ve been saying for years that we need a lot more help and, finally, we’re getting the support we need.
“Instead of having Charlie Brown Christmas trees in the park I think we can properly light them up this year if this keeps going.”
The overwhelming response includes enough funds to have a small opening ceremony and visit from Santa at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18.
It won’t reach the level the Celebration enjoyed in the 1980s and ‘90s when thousands of families and tourists filled the park, but Suisham believes a complete comeback is now possible in years to come.
“I’m overwhelmed. I’m proud of the community and how much they are coming out and supporting us.
“We’ve got our momentum back.”
WANT TO HELP?
It’s not too late to volunteer to help move the big displays from storage to the park on Nov. 5, starting at 9 a.m.
Trailers, trucks and flatbeds are still needed for Nov. 5 and for teardown on Jan. 7 at 9 a.m.
Volunteers with manless certification and fall arrest training are needed to put light strings in the trees.
Strings of used or new outdoor LED lights are badly needed to improve the overall. If you have any to donate, drop them off asap at Royal Lepage, Magic Realty, Remax, Exit Realty or Philly Cheese Jakes.
More manpower is needed in the park on Nov. 10 for the heavy lifting.
On Nov. 12, starting at 9 a.m., the park gets decorated. All help welcome. Dress warm and join the community effort.
ANY QUESTIONS? Send your emails to [email protected].