Up for a little road trip, Victoria?
Ladysmith’s annual Light Up Parade on Thursday, November 28th will kick off their Festival of Lights for the season!
This wonderful display of Christmas lights brings visitors in from all over the island and beyond, and encourages local shopping and community support, as well as festive cheer.
Once the lights are switched on this Thursday at 6:30 p.m., they’ll remain on until the second Sunday in January, so you’ll have plenty of time to drive or walk down First Avenue, taking it all in!
Ladysmith’s Festival of Lights was first introduced in 1987, when Bill Fitzpatrick and a couple of local merchants agreed that the town needed some revitalization around the holidays.
At the time, a number of businesses were closing and the idea of a Christmas Festival was seen as impossible, but Fitzpatrick and the group knew it would draw in and encourage them to shop local.
So, it was decided that the first Light Up would be the day after payday! Despite the rain, 500 people came out to support their local businesses and interact with the community.
From there, it has grown into the beloved annual event we know it to be, and it continues to attract visitors from near and far—all hoping to soak in the holiday fun.
There are now over 200,000 sparkling lights that go into the decorations for the Festival of Lights!
How amazing is that? But don’t take our word for it, take yourself on a little road trip and see it for yourself.
