Downtown Okotoks was overflowing with people on Friday night for Light Up Okotoks.

This year Mother Nature joined the party as the weather was warm and the atmosphere bright and festive with Christmas lights, music and plenty of people enjoying this annual kick off event to the Christmas season.

Okotoks Mayor, Bill Robertson says Light Up Okotoks is a great family activity for all to enjoy.

"There's a lot of logistics that go in to making sure things come off without a hitch, but people can come down and wander the streets. It's a safe family activity." says, Robertson,

Robertson says he gets enjoyment from watching the kids visiting Santa, and the lighting of the Christmas Tree.

The joy of Christmas is part of Light Up Okotoks and promoting people to shop locally is another. Local businesses had an opportunity to open their doors to thousands of people who enjoyed free treats and hot chocolate from local vendors as they strolled through downtown taking in the sites and sounds of the season.

Robertson says Light Up Okotoks kicks off the Christmas season and he is excited about the future possibilities for Okotoks.

"Your attitude will determine your altitude. There are so many possibilities with the right attitude. I think it's been a tough year on a number of businesses and I hope people will shop locally. " says Robertson.

Through generous donations, the volunteers at "Eighteen Wheels of Christmas" a semi truck sponsored by Rosenault Transport, collected 144 pre-packaged hampers, 6 full food bank boxes and $2,200 in cash for the Okotoks Food Bank. They will be delivering these items to the food bank on Tuesday.

Volunteer for Eighteen Wheels of Christmas, Colleen Nickels, says this event in Okotoks puts them all in a festive spirit which fires them up for the rest of the season.

Nickels says they have been attending events and collecting and distributing donations to the local food banks for 17 years all across Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan.

Nickels says, "It's all volunteered by staff and friends of Rosenault Transport, who sponsors the truck, and the volunteers donate their time. Its a way for us to give back to the local communities where we work and live."

The festive evening included, crafts, choirs, Christmas Tree lighting, wagon rides, a visit from Santa, and food vendors.

Stores were open and offering free goodies and hot chocolate and the night was capped of by a fire works display.

 

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