The manger was a great place for photos. Left-right, are Charlie Tolentino, 3, Nadine Tolentino, 6, and Marie Balbin, 5, all of High Prairie, all bundled up in case of cold weather.

Richard Froese
South Peace News
Milder temperatures drew several hundred people for the annual High Prairie Light-Up at the Civic Square to kick off the Christmas season Nov. 25.

Lesser Slave Lake MLA Danielle Larivee, Town of High Prairie Mayor Linda Cox, and Big Lakes County Reeve Ken Matthews entertained the crowd with a commentary of the parade after they expressed warm words of welcome.

“It’s a wonderful way to get together and ring in the beginning of the holiday season,” says Larivee.
“The Light-Up has such a long and wonderful history of bringing the people of the High Prairie region together for celebration of the holidays, and fun.”

Attending her first Light-Up since she was elected in May 2015, Larivee thanked the High Prairie Community Beautification Association, town council and staff, volunteers and participants for all their support.

She also urged citizens to extend their love and care to the needy during Christmas and give to the High Prairie and District Food Bank.

“Some people in the community are making do with a little less this year, so I encourage everyone to give generously to the food bank.”
“Every donation, no matter how small, counts.
“If we all pitch in, we can make sure that no one in this community goes hungry.”

Locally, the mayor and reeve lauded the community partners for growing the Light-Up.

“Each year, it gets bigger and brighter,” Cox says.
“Many hands do indeed make light work.”

She noted the huge crowd shows the Christmas spirit and pride in the community.

“Hopefully, you all can appreciate all the work by the many volunteers to make this truly a community occasion,” Cox says.
“Each year we have more participants in the parade, so it shows how popular the parade is getting.”

Greetings from the county were also expressed.

“Light-Up brings a lot of people to the community from the whole region, thanks to the many volunteers, partners, and supporters,” Matthews says.
“A lot of people also come from outside the local region to see the great display of Christmas lights.”

Besides the grand entry from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, 12 community groups and businesses participated in the parade.

Crowds flocked along the route in temperatures around -3C. It was considerably balmy after the temperatures dipped below -20C and -30C with the wind chill the previous two years.

Havyn Stout, 9, switched on the lights during the ceremonies as the winner of a colouring contest sponsored by ATB Financial.

Sparkling in the dark, the lights and decorations were a scene of much activity as people photographed the sight and admired the creation.

Inside the fire hall, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus were busy for about two hours as they attentively listened to requests from children.

Businesses and stores were also busy with special Christmas promotions.

Popcorn was on sale during the Light-Up parade sold by J-Walkerz youth group of High Prairie Victory Life Church. Left-right, are Mackenzie Willier and Lorellee Supernault. About $200 was raised for missions.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus were busy as children shared their wish lists. Chloe MacRoberts, 3, left, and brother Cooper MacRoberts, 2, tell Santa what they want. Behind, left-right, are Santa’s elves Danielle Beaver and Callista Gomes.

Dressed as and elf, Kevin Baker of High Prairie School Division utilities department, hands out candy along the parade route.

An inflated snowman was popular for photos. Left-right, are Julia Cunningham, 4, Wynter Anderson, 5, and Raymond Cunningham, all of Gift Lake.

Christmas carols and music were in the air with a group of singers. Front left-right, are Linda Koesveld, Donna Deynaka, and Judy Chalmers. Back left-right, are Jennifer Anderson, Laura Kemp, Tammy Napier, and Melissa Mutter.

Havyn Stout, left, switches on the lights during the ceremonies as the winner of a colouring contest sponsored by ATB Financial. She is assisted by her father, Michael Stout, and Leonell Hamelin, employed with the Town of High Prairie utilities department, the town’s key employee involved in Light-Up.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus get ready to make their grand entrance in the parade.

Freson Bros. with general manager Matt Lovsin shows its community support in the parade. The lit-up snowman certainly caught the eye of everyone watching the Santa Claus Parade as it went by.

Big Lakes Dodge carried a Christmas tree in the back of a pick-up truck. Left-right, are controller Christine Bradley and Myriam Baker, marketing and social media director.

The nativity scene, made many years ago by Light-Up supporter Gwen McLaughlin, is one of many attractions at the ceremony.

Santa’s Workshop in the Civic Square looks colourful and quaint. A little more snow around to reflect the lights and the scene is complete.

Nicolet Insurance bears gifts in the parade. Left-right, are general manager BillieJean Lines and broker Patty Milner.

High Prairie Liquor Store employee Teala Bowering drives a unique decorated vehicle in the parade.