Dozens of parade entries big and small will line 1st Ave. in Ladysmith Thursday night. (Ladysmith Festival of Lights)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

flick the switch

‘Millions’ of lights ready for hallmark Ladysmith Light Up event

Nov 30, 2023 | 5:24 AM

LADYSMITH — Organizers aren’t sure exactly how many lights there are, but displays both new and old have been strung with care ahead of a holiday season staple event.

Santa will flick the switch on what’s believed to be millions of individual lights around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30 to kick off the annual Festival of Lights, highlighted by the Ladysmith Light Up along 1st Ave.

Kathy Gonzales, a member of the organizing committee, told NanaimoNewsNOW many of the old favourite displays are back, plus a couple of new features.

“Each year we’re always looking for new and exciting things to add. The big transition for us a couple of years ago was going from the incandescent into the LED’s but now we’ve added some animated light shows so there’s movement in the displays, we’re getting into pixel lights and having colours changing.”

A juggling gingerbread man at Wild Poppy Market as well as a dump truck at nearby Coastal Trucking are among the new features.

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Gonzales said every year organizers look at what new technologies or displays they can add to the ever-growing selection.

The light up event itself starts at 3 p.m. with a craft fair at Aggie Hall followed by street entertainment and concessions at 4 p.m.

Santa will flick the switch at 6:30 p.m. with the parade to immediately follow down 1st Ave.

Once the final of between 45 and 50 parade entrants gets through, fireworks are set off from the Ladysmith Harbour, usually around 8 p.m.

Organizers suggest people come early to find a good parking spot and enjoy downtown Ladysmith, then have some patience exiting the small community.

RCMP officers will be staged at entrance and exit points safely directing cars through intersections.

Gonzales said despite the massive event, more typical for a big city, it’s Ladysmith’s small-town nature which really makes it possible.

“It’s one of those events that’s put on by volunteers from all over the community. There’s a core group that does a bulk of the planning and implementing then we reach out to the community in all aspects from putting up lights to putting new bulbs into the strings at the end of the season.”

She added one of the common pieces of feedback they receive is the night signals the start of their holiday season.

The lights will remain on until Jan. 14 when the strands will be taken down, repaired where necessary and stored away for next year.

Gonzales said the society is made up of 46 members, but over 300 people volunteer time throughout the season, in addition to businesses and local groups.

More details on the Ladysmith Festival of Lights is available on their website.

Volunteers held string the lights leading up to the big day, which is always held on the last Thursday in November. (Ladysmith Festival of Lights)

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