It's that time of year again.
The Celebration of Lights at the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum will be held from Dec. 18 to 23 and 27 to 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. but this year it's a drive-thru event.
To make the museum's biggest annual fundraiser a COVID-friendly event it's been adapted to accommodate as many people as possible as safely as possible.
There are more than 100,000 lights on display at the park including an extraordinary light display that was once viewed at a residence on the Old Cariboo Highway, which can now be seen along River Road at the local railway and forestry museum site.
"This is such an incredibly generous donation in memory of Rose Novak," Katherine Carlson, executive director of the Railway and Forestry Museum, said.
Eric Seemann, who donated the extraordinary light display, said he didn't think he was going to put up the display any time soon as is heart just isn't in it without his partner Rose Novak there to enjoy it with him. Novak died earlier this year after a lengthy illness.
Every year it took Seemann about six weeks to put up the display.
"It was something Rose and I really, really enjoyed doing together," Seemann said. "There was no way I was going to enjoy it this year as I am still grieving."
Seemann and Novak enjoyed watching hundreds of residents stop by to see the light display. Seemann said that's what inspired the donation to the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum.
"At least this way people can still enjoy it," Seemann said.
There will be a designated driving route to follow, with staff there to guide vehicles through the eight-acre park.
Prebooking is mandatory and can be done online or at the museum in advance of the event.
Cost is $15 per vehicle.
Every 15-minutes 20 vehicles will be able to drive through the park at a maximum speed of 5 km/h.
Organizers are asking that everyone bring their printed out receipt with them and place it on the dashboard of their vehicle so that it will be a contactless event. People must stay in their vehicles at all times and the shop and bathrooms will be closed to the public.
For more information visit events.pgrfm.bc.ca
