A Christmas tradition in Lloydminster, Kiwanis Park is now lit up with festive spirit.
The Kiwanis Festival of Lights turned on nearly 60,000 lights for the first time on Nov. 23, with Mayor Gerald Aalbers on hand to flip the switch.
Read more: Festival of Lights 25K strong
The park lighting gives families a place to go and enjoy during the early winter evenings.
“Just decorating the park as an event for kids and families to come out to and bring some joy to the community,” said Brad Pelley, Lloydminster Kiwanis Club president.
This year, the event is bigger than ever.
“It gets bigger and brighter every year. I think last year we said there’s 25,000 lights, and this year, close to 50 to 60 (thousand),” said Jaime Brown, Kiwanis Club of Lloydminster vice-president.
A new display has also been added to the park experience this year.
“Normally, you just take the arches and cross them and put some lights over them, but this year, we’ve added this tunnel,” said Pelley, noting the park lighting is done with support from the community.
“We have some very loyal sponsors that come back year after year and donate to us. We’re just so grateful to them,” said Brown.
Throughout the year, the Kiwanis Club fundraises and runs projects to help kids.
“We do many different programs through fundraising,” said Pelley. “We raise funds through different events and 50/50 draws and stuff. What we do then is, we have Bikes for Kids, so, if kids are in needs of bikes, we provide bikes.”
They also run Santa’s project every year and provide gift bags to kids in the Lloydminster school system.
“We do Beanie Babies for kids that are sick. We help with kids that need hearing aids, we’ll donate a portion of money towards that,” Pelley explained. “Everything we do is for kids and kids in need.”
The club is always looking for new members and volunteers.
“We’re a relatively small club in town and we’re always looking for new members,” said Brown. “You can come to a meeting anytime and hear what we do and share a meal together and plan stuff out.”
Pelley and Brown agree it’s all about enhancing a family’s Christmas.
“Seeing the wondering and excitement in kids’ eyes when they see the lights lit up, it makes our hearts happy and we’re glad to be a part of little one’s Christmases,” said Brown.
For those looking to get more info on the club or to get involved, they can do so through the club’s Facebook page or website.
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