Summerland Festival of Lights returns to spread holiday cheer once again – Penticton News
Photo: Mike Biden
The 32nd annual Festival of Lights in 2019 drew well over 12,000 people to the community.
Summerland is full of excitement to once again host its biggest night of the year.
The usually annual Festival of Lights takes place downtown, drawing well over 10,000 people to the community for live musical acts, food vendors, fireworks and a “light up” of downtown businesses.
“I couldn’t be happier to be doing this work right now after the last few years,” Lisa Sanders, events coordinator with the Summerland Chamber of Commerce said. “I love that everybody just comes out and has a blast. We freeze our butts off, but just having people from all up and down the Okanagan, Summerland really takes pride in this festival.”
The event was full-on canceled in 2020 and greatly scaled down in 2021 due to the pandemic.
Sanders said this year will look more like 2019 festivities when over 12,000 came out to celebrate.
“We’ll start off with a little Santa Claus parade that will go right at five o’clock and then our REMAX main stage will start just shortly thereafter, as well as the family stage which is sponsored this year by Nesters. We’ve got three great acts on the main stage.”
The kid zone this year will be set up at the corner of Main Street and Victoria Road, cordoned off for kids’ activities, bouncy castles and crafts, with a family entertainment stage set up at the end near Jubilee Road.
In the past, the kid zone was set up in Memorial Park. But issues with enough lighting and safety concerns moved the family-friendly party into downtown.
“I think we’re expecting upwards of 10,000 people that’s my dream, my hopes and my wishes. Because I think people are just really craving it. It’s a great event,” Sanders said.
Fireworks will kick off at 8:30 pm
The Festival of Lights was launched more than three decades ago by four Summerland businessmen, Jerry Hallquist, Art Sewell, Allan Fabbi and Bruce Hallquist under the umbrella of the Downtown Business Improvement Area.
The chamber will be working alongside District staff, public works and emergency services to coordinate the setup for the big day.
Summerland Festival of Lights runs the last Friday of next month, Nov. 25 from 5 pm to 9 pm
Included in the event will be a sneak peek at Light Up the Vines, which also returns this year after a hiatus on Saturday, Nov. 26, and Dec. 2 & 3, with wineries, cideries, breweries and more lighting up their tasting rooms from 3 pm to 7 pm and opening their doors for holiday tasting, shopping and other festivities.
A cozy beverage garden area near the Summerland Library will be pouring boozy sips for a small fee at the light-up.
Registration is still open for vendors and sponsors for the big night, which can be found online here.