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Festival of Lights
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 by GetawayBC.com
One of the biggest events of the year in Ladysmith is the annual Festival of Lights.
On the last Thursday of November (Nov. 26 in 2009), Santa Clause flips a switch and the downtown core is filled with blazing Christmas lights. The lights stay turned on along First Avenue until the new year.
Thousands of people journey to Ladysmith for the event, which also features a parade of local groups and businesses decorated in their best holiday spirit.
The Festival of Lights started in 1987. Bill Fitzpatrick and merchants decided Ladysmith’s downtown needed to get more festive. Each year more lights are added and thousands of LED replacement bulbs are now being used.
Typically on the afternoon of the festival, First Avenue is closed between Roberts Street and the roundabout by Aggie Hall. Concessions offer treats and restaurants will open their doors with special Festival of Lights menus.
Santa Claus throws the main switch to turn on the lights around 6:30 p.m. Shortly after, the parade makes its way down First Avenue. And, in case visitors still don’t have their fill of colour and light, a fireworks show is planned to illuminate the sky. ;