Celebration of Lights setting waterfront aglow Saturday

Troy Shantz The Celebration of Lights returns this weekend for a 35th annual season of sight and sound in Centennial Park.

Troy Shantz

The Celebration of Lights returns this weekend for a 35th annual season of sight and sound in Centennial Park.

Sarnia’s signature winter event is looking financially brighter, thanks to new sponsors stepping up and City Hall waiving its yearly fees of almost $5,000, said chair Cathie Blake-Baker.

Fears have arisen about the festival’s future because of a lack of sponsorships and donations, but the community is having none of it, she said.

“They all came together, and we had money come from all directions,” she said.

“I love Christmas, and I can’t imagine not having something in our city.”

The Celebration of Lights is a non-profit organization. It relies totally on donations, “adopt-a-display” packages and bingo nights to raise the $25,000 needed to stage the 100% volunteer festival, Blake-Barker said.

To donate or sponsor a display, call 519-344-8422.

The opening ceremonies on Saturday feature hay and trolley rides, face painting, live music, superheroes and fireworks. Free popcorn, cupcakes and hot drinks are available, with St. Nick himself arriving via fire truck to flip the switch.

Blake-Barker said volunteers are the festival’s lifeblood, setting up, repairing and maintaining the outdoor displays – some of which are decades old.

One of the largest, Neptune’s Castle, is taking this year off due to extensive needed repairs.

Also needing a fix-up was Snoopy’s Red Baron, a task students at Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School students took on, funded with a donation from Col. Chris Hadfield, Blake-Barker said.

The Celebration of Lights residential lighting competition is also back. Participants must be located in Sarnia, Point Edward or Corunna. Winners are selected based on arrangement of lights, use of space, and creativity.

Registration deadline is Dec. 8 at 5 p.m., with the winners announced on Dec. 16.

For more info or to register, visit www.celebrationoflights.com/lighting-competition.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Celebration of Lights, opening ceremonies

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 23, at 4 p.m., fireworks at 6:45 p.m. Lights switched on nightly until Jan. 1.

WHERE: Centennial Park, 430 Front St.

OTHER: Free event. For more, visit at www.celebrationoflights.com