It's going to be magnificent. It's going to be fantastic. It's going to be spectacular.
That's what the organizer of the Civic Centre Light Up is saying about Sunday's event and he wants his enthusiasm to be contagious so everyone who attends the free community event can see it through his eyes.
Civic Centre manager Myles Tycholis is already gearing up for the 26th annual event that he said will kick off the holiday season with live music, entertainment, dancing, horse-drawn hay rides, crafts, holiday treats, a visit with Santa, the illumination of the Canadian Tire Tree of Lights and a fireworks display.
Local radio personality Doug Jones will once again host the event.
"We have tons of activities starting at 4 o'clock," Tycholis said. "We have hay rides provided by Wood Wheaton Honda. They've got a route mapped out through the downtown area. We have crafts taking place at Two Rivers Gallery where people can make lanterns, we have face painting by a local artisan and then of course we have the mainstage where entertainment will be showcased right from 4 to 6 p.m."
Kicking off the musical entertainment will be the D.P. Todd jazz band and the Nusdeh Yoh drummers will perform with their instructors.
"Last year the Nusdeh Yoh drummers performed for the first time and the kids were just elated," Tycholis said. "They had such a fantastic time so we invited them back this year and they will actually escorting Santa out to his tent and then they will be coming onto the stage to perform."
Twasome Highland Troupe will perform, offering a bit of variety to the showcase. Nove Voce is a local multi-award winning choir, which will perform some of their latest songs. There will be a variety of solo artists as well as a preview of The Nutcracker presented by Judy Russell this holiday season.
There is a colouring contest children can participate in to win a family pack of tickets to The Nutcracker presented in December.
There is complementary hot chocolate with other treats available as well.
The Prince George Cougars hockey players will be accompanying guests on the hay ride leading Christmas carols and those wishing to participate can use the Christmas carol guide book so as not to miss a beat.
Local mascots will be on site to add to the festive atmosphere. Representatives of the World Women's Curling Championship that takes place in Prince George in 2020 will offer visitors an opportunity to try street curling with adapted rocks suitable for the ground.
The official lighting of the Canadian Tire Tree of Lights will take place at 5:55 p.m. at the hands of Mayor Lyn Hall and Canadian Tire owner Selen Alpay. Immediately following that people are invited to raise their gaze towards Connaught Hill where the sky overhead will be filled with fireworks, again sponsored by Canadian Tire.
"And it's just an absolutely stunningly beautiful backdrop of Canada Games Plaza - just imagine it all lit up and festive an then you've got this magnificent fireworks show taking place atop Connaught Hill," Tycholis said.
Everyone is also welcome to visit the Festival of Trees which takes place inside the Civic Centre to top off their evening's festivities.
"There's so much going on and there's a lot of activity," he added.
And sharing in the spotlight on Sunday is the lighting of the United Way tree that sits atop the Coast Inn of the North. The long-awaited resurrection of the tree, which last appeared in 2016, will be used as a fundraising effort for mental health supports for the local community. The goal is to raise $25,000. The lighting of the United Way tree takes place at 3:45, just a short 15 minutes before the Civic Centre Light Up festivities take place. The fully lit tree shining from the roof will be seen far and wide in downtown Prince George during the holiday season.
"For old and young alike there's tons of activities and great entertainment at the Civic Centre Light Up and it's just a fun, festive evening that we hope gets everyone excited for the holiday season," Tycholis said.
To find out more information about the United Way fundraiser, to become a sponsor, or make a donation to this initiative email [email protected] or call 250-561-1040.
