Well over 300 people came out to sing carols and light the lights for the 27th annual Light the Lights Festival at the Rockwood Centre on Nov. 28 sponsored by the Sechelt Downtown Business Association (SDBA).
“It certainly was the best it’s been in years, but that was a lot of thanks to Jill [Hemmings] who did the organizing for us,” SDBA administrator Kerry Jenkins said.
The lighting of the lights was followed by the annual Light Parade down Cowrie Street. Jim Taylor serenaded the 21 vehicles festooned with lights and seasonal decorations as they made their way through downtown Sechelt.
“The crowds were just tremendous, all down Cowrie and up to Rockwood. The spirits were really high and everybody was excited,” president of the SDBA Katharine Trueman said.
The Gibsons Building Supplies entry won first prize in the parade. They decorated several forklifts to look like Christmas train boxcars.
Trueman estimated that between 150 and 200 people had their pictures taken with Santa, who was also at the parade.
“It was just a really great festival. It really kicked off Christmas. Christmas certainly arrived in Sechelt,” Trueman said.
