The countdown is on to one of Halton Hills’ favourite events of the holiday season - ignition night for the Light up the Hills Christmas displays.
After a pandemic hiatus, the popular free gathering at Georgetown’s Dominion Gardens Park is returning Dec. 1 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The lights will turn on at 7 p.m.
There will be free hot dogs from the Georgetown Lions Club and Tim Hortons hot chocolate, as well as special visits from Santa and Obie the CN safety train.
St Francis' Grade 4, 5 and 6 choir and Sweet and Salty a cappella group will be there singing songs of the season. Martin Media Productions will also be broadcasting Christmas music.
Rounding out the festivities are a Hey Neighbour games booth and the Halton Hills Fire Department’s large aerial truck.
The lights will also turn on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at the displays in Acton Sports Park (beside the arena) and the Shelagh Law Parkette in Glen Williams.
A gathering will take place in the Glen starting at 6:30 p.m., with light refreshments provided by the Glen Williams Town Hall and Christmas carols led by the students of Glen Williams Public School.
No events have been planned for Acton.
Many service clubs and charitable groups are feeling the impact when it comes to a lack of volunteers these days, and Light up the Hills is no exception.
Light up the Hills chair Michele Cameron said November has been a very hectic month for the display’s small but mighty group of volunteers, but they’re in the home stretch and almost ready for ignition on Thursday.
Following ignition night, the displays will come on nightly from 5 to 11 p.m. until Jan. 15.
All of the displays are funded by community donations and sponsorships, then created and cared for by the volunteers.
Crucial funds are still being raised through a draw for two dozen prizes, with some big-ticket items to be won, like four box seats at a Toronto Maple Leafs game (donated by CN).
Tickets are $5 each or three for $10 and can be purchased on Dec. 1 during ignition night in Dominion Gardens Park, near the gazebo, and online at lightupthehills.com. The draw will take place on Dec. 13.
