We live in a small town here in BC.
CANADA.
Our town has a population of about 11,000 people. I once went to a San Francisco Giants baseball game and they put the number of people in the stands up on the billboard. It was over 24,000. That would be MORE THAN DOUBLE the population of our wee town. That blew my mind.
Anyway.
Our little town that could hosts a Festival of Lights at the end of November. It is a Huge Event. Not quite as huge as Black Friday in the States, but still. It is BIG. The turnout is usually in the ball park of 7,000 people. In a two-block radius. It is squishy. And a little chaotic.
It is magical, though! Vendors everywhere, hocking everything from snowman poop (chocolate and marshmallows) to hot apple cider to hand-cut fries. And mini-donuts. Mmmm…mini donuts.
We bundled up the kidlets and told them about the excitement of Light Up (what us locals call it). They were as excited as we were.
Can’t you tell?
Um. Yeah.
Moving on!
We got into town and parked at our church.
Of course, as soon as we got there the dudes had to pee. No photos. Shocking, I know.
After the pee break, we bought them the light-thingies.
They seemed to like them.
Miss Snow Princess was waving hers at anyone who looked at her.
She’s so cute, it hurts.
The whole deal with Light Up is that all of the Christmas lights are off.
Then, just before 7 pm, the choir leads everyone in a rousing rendition of Oh, Canada.
God, keep our land, glorious and free.
Then there is a countdown. At the end of the countdown all of the Christmas lights are turned on.
People, people, everywhere.
I wish I could do the lights justice. But my friend, the tripod, was not an option considering that three children versus two parents is an equation that does not add up.
I did my best to shoot a couple of free-handed shots.
Our town has a bylaw that states all stores must have the Tudor style decor. It’s our thing.
It is everywhere. And I like it.
If only the town clock had the right time…
‘Twas a good night. We even ran into people we knew and chatted for 2.3 seconds before we had to track down the kidlets.
Now that Light Up is over, that means I can put up the Christmas tree! Whee!
It is also a reminder that Christmas is coming. Soon. I am usually done my shopping by now. This year? I have not even started. Sigh.
I am at a loss as to what to get Honey. Or the kids. Suggestions welcome.
Happy Saturday (Only six days until I can stop posting every. single. day.)!
24 Comments
Gorgeous! The snowman poop? It was a hit with the kids?
I have tagged you for a meme, may be helpful with the whole NaBloPoMo thingie. Just head over to my house and pick it up.
It’s there now.
Don’t hate me.
How festive! I love it when communities do a big holiday lighting project.
I’m not doing so well with the holiday shopping either. I haven’t started, but I plan to do so soon. Hopefully… Maybe… Probably… 
I didn’t even consider taking the camera to light up. Your pics turned out not bad without a tripod. We don’t usually partake in light up as I just can’t stand being cold but the girls were singing this year. I think they had fun but Brooklyn was frozen and done by the fireworks, which I might add she did not enjoy! Glad you had a good night, and I hear you on the 2.5 second chats!
Comment by Heidi on November 24th, 2007 @ 7:46 amI love festive stuff like that!
I too have not started Christmas shopping… eeek!
Comment by Kristin on November 24th, 2007 @ 7:46 amLove the tudor style, how quaint is that?!
I hear you on the Christmas shopping… my problem is WHEN exactly do I have time to shop… this earning money thing is really putting a damper on my spending habits…..;-)
Comment by Kami on November 24th, 2007 @ 7:58 amHi your photos are really great…I love all the lights and had a good laugh at the snowman poop…(I wonder if we can make that in Wales? I’m guessing the marshmallows are melted or am I completely off base?)
Love reading your blog and your kids are so cute!
Hey Angella…
not sure what the boys are wanting…but right now the little tykes digital Camera is is on at Canadian Tire for $29.99…regular $59.99. It hold up to 1000 pictures and has the little screen on the back so the kids can see the pict right away..My dad just picked one up for Riley for his birthday…He loves taking pictures so i thought this was a great buy.
Oh Light Up! I loved that. I miss Summerland- thanks for sharing the pics.
That seems like a super cool event! I’m also surprised at the populations that those football stadiums can hold as I come from a town not too much bigger than yours (as you know)!
My husband is a little different. No Christmas decorations are allowed to adorn our house until 12:01 am on December 1st. Also? He makes a VERY comprehensive Christmas list. Seriously. He’s easy to shop for. Except when he puts an 80G ipod and an XBOX 360 on his birthday list. A guy can dream though, right?
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on November 24th, 2007 @ 9:12 amThat is too funny. I posted about the Light up this morning and you and I have some pretty similar photos (except of your kids of course. ha.) It truly was a beautiful night. I love it. We always park by the video store and watch the firewroks there at the field. A few people asked why we drove into town from here, but we saw a few people from out of town too. It is just a great place to be at Christmas time!
Comment by kelly on November 24th, 2007 @ 9:47 amOh, come on. You post nearly every single day anyways…
I’m with Heather. When I saw the ad for the Little Tyke’s Digital Camera, I immediately thought of your kids.
Comment by reddirtroad on November 24th, 2007 @ 10:35 amIt was a nice night. We didn’t get there til five to 7 and Avelyn was ready for bed so we didn’t stick around too long.
I love that last shot. It captures the atmosphere of the evening.
looks dreamy! Can’t wait till our town gets festive!!
Comment by little miss mel on November 24th, 2007 @ 4:36 pmIt looks absolutely magical, and I hope that oneday I will be able to visit Summerland. It seems like a beautiful place.
Comment by Hannah on November 24th, 2007 @ 4:57 pmWow what beautiful photos! the lights are so pretty! I miss our light up the night that we had in our old—-not so much a town any more of St. Albert AB, it seemed the whole city turned out, what fun!
Comment by familymclean on November 24th, 2007 @ 6:49 pmMaybe we’ll just call December and extended November cuz I really do love reading your blog every. single. day. I love events like Light Up and am seriously sad we missed the town’s Santa Claus Parade this year. Your kidlets are adorable no matter what they’re doing, (but thanks for refraining from pee pictures )
I love, love, love these kind of small town festivals!!!
Beautiful!
I could smell the crispness and sense the excitement!
I too almost always have my Christmas gifts by now, but I am FAR behind my usual! I know what the kids want – I just haven’t done the purchasing yet!
Comment by OMSH on November 24th, 2007 @ 7:25 pmI waited all year for the tasty horse blankets (deep fried white dough with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on it). I can’t believe you didn’t mention those.
Comment by Tannis on November 24th, 2007 @ 8:29 pmIt looks like a good time was had by all! Our Light-Up is this Thursday…It’s a pretty big deal on the island. I’ll have to take my camera downtown with me!
Comment by Michele on November 25th, 2007 @ 2:10 amThat looks incredible and just the kind of thing we’d love to do.
Comment by She Likes Purple on November 25th, 2007 @ 10:14 amHow cool, that they turn all the lights on at once. That must be loads of fun.
I too am way behind on my shopping this year. *sigh* If you come up with any brilliant ideas, clue me in, please!
Comment by bethany actually on November 25th, 2007 @ 2:31 pm[...] night was the annual Festival of Lights (Or Light Up, as us locals call it). Last year’s post explains it in great detail. I brought my camera but I didn’t take many [...]
Comment by Dutch Blitz » Baby, It’s Cold Outside on November 29th, 2008 @ 10:17 am
Thanks for showing the pics Angella. Brad and I can hardly believe it’s already light up time- we’re in another world over here. We miss those town traditions!
Comment by Stephanie Riemer on November 24th, 2007 @ 2:09 am