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Ladysmith Light-Up marks start of holiday season for many on mid-island

Nov 29, 2017 | 10:22 PM

NANAIMO — There is arguably no event more synonymous with Christmas on the mid-island than the Ladysmith Light-Up.

As many as 20,000 people are expected to pack downtown Ladysmith on Thursday night to watch Santa Claus throw the switch on the 30th annual Festival of Lights.

Festival president and Ladysmith councillor Duck Paterson said the fact locals have adopted the event as a personal project is a big factor behind its continual surge in popularity.

“It’s given them a lot of pride…It’s brought some notice to Ladysmith and people are taking pride in that and that’s what’s made it grow.”

Paterson said this year’s event will feature nearly 200,000 lights, more trees draped in mini bulbs and a prominent new decoration atop the bank giving a nod to the region’s logging and mining history. The parade is also expected to be the “biggest ever.”

“With it going on for so long, there’s a good portion of the population that has grown up with Light-Up being the start of their Christmas,” Paterson said.

With Ladysmith’s population effectively doubling for one night there are some inevitable traffic and parking challenges.

Paterson said the best bet is to try and get into town early in the afternoon, noting events get started at 3 p.m. He said a good tip for people coming from Nanaimo is to turn off the highway before Ladysmith onto Strathcona St. and park at the churches on Fourth Ave. There will be shuttle service from the churches, as well as Transfer Beach, to downtown.

Typically, traffic heading south from Nanaimo starts to stack up around 4 p.m. and First Ave. in Ladysmith will be closed at 3 p.m.

The lights will remain on display until Jan. 14. Full details can be found here.

Light-Up schedule:

  • 3 p.m. – Community spaghetti dinner and craft fair
  • 4 -6:15 p.m. – Entertainment on stage
  • 6:30 p.m. – Santa arrives for the Light-Up
  • 6:45 p.m. – Kinsmen Parade
  • 7:45 p.m. (approx) – Fireworks

 

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi