Why step cautiously into Christmas when you can glide and slide into it … or go tumbling headlong into snow?
Scores of youngsters hurtled into the festive spirit last Friday by tobogganing down a huge snowy mound illuminated outside Comfort Corner.
Once, of course, was never enough. Those like Aimee Larsen and her brother, Hans, had to do it again … and again … and again.
No sooner were they at the bottom, then they were dusting off snow and returning to the top to wait in line.
Some went solo, some went in twos, holding each other in a protective embrace. Some went smoothly, some went … well, not quite so smoothly.
One thrill-seeker even crashed into a photographer who edged a little too close to the action.
Toboggan Hill, behind Scotiabank, was certainly a happening place during Christmas Light-up, proving a popular first-time addition to the festivities.
For those responsible for the hill – Misty Ridge Ski Club and its manager Greg Reschke, and Steve Bizuns from Town Post – the sight of so many happy children was a fabulous holiday gift.
Earlier, festivities had got off to an explosive start with fireworks lighting up the night sky.
No matter which way you turned, the sky was ablaze with colour – fireworks had been set off at three sites to signal the 7 p.m. start of the annual parade.
Both sides of a snow-covered Main Street were packed with spectators eager to glimpse the first of the floats.
Unlike last year, which saw temperatures plunge to -19 degrees, the weather was relatively mild. Nevertheless woolly hats, thick coats and mittens were in abundance, and if these were insufficient to combat the chill, then you could always huddle around a fire or clutch a free cup of hot chocolate, courtesy of Scotiabank.
Dozens of cameras were primed as the procession came into view, edging past the post office and glittering like a jewel-studded necklace. At the front were three RCMP officers in Red Serge, marching in unison behind a police vehicle.
Festival sponsors the Barrhead and District Chamber of Commerce had encouraged all local businesses to decorate and participate in the parade – and many heeded the call.
Among the other participants were the fire and ambulance services, BCHS students campaigning against drinking and driving, the Town of Barrhead and several churches. Some floats slowed to hand candy to children or to allow exchanges of festive greetings.
As ever, the Footworks Dance Academy display was an all-action affair, with dancers turning one way, then the other in a perfectly choreographed routine.
Here comes Santa Claus
Finally there was the white-bearded man in red every child had been waiting to see: Santa Claus.
Children would get another chance to see Santa – and be photographed with him – at Picture This Alberta, where long lines stretching to the back of the store quickly formed and patience became a testing virtue.
Some children were so excited they threw themselves at Santa and jumped into his lap. True to his generous nature, the visitor from the North Pole handed each child a candy cane.
After the last of the floats had disappeared, Main Street was given over to horse-drawn wagon rides, while shops welcomed a steady stream of customers anxious to take advantage of late-night shopping hours and plenty of bargains.
To add to the spirit, businesses were adorned in festive ways. And if that wasn’t enough, there was a gingerbread house decorating contest and performance of Christmas carols outside Scotiabank.
Oh yes, there was also a colouring competition which attracted a whopping 108 entries.
“That was the twice the normal amount of participants,” said a delighted Amy Newton, member of the Barrhead Chamber of Commerce Light Up committee. “There were so many that we had to go out and buy extra candy for prizes.”
Pictures were dropped off at The Barrhead Leader at 2 p.m. on Friday. Youngsters then had the chance of winning a goody bag by finding their picture in one of Main Street’s shop windows.
Among those experiencing Christmas in Barrhead for the first time is the Gurges family.
Dr. Ramy Gurges, a specialist of anaesthesia with 12 years’ experience, came to Barrhead on March 28 with his wife Ereny Wahba, and daughters, Rana, aged seven, and Rena.
Hailing from Egypt, a Muslim country, Dr. Gurges was not raised in a Santa Claus culture. So what did he think of the parade?
“It is just perfect,” he said, adding that his daughters were on one of the floats.
Barrhead County coun. Bill Lane has witnessed many Christmas Light-ups – and this year’s easily lived up to expectations, perhaps helped by the relatively mild weather.
“I thought the Santa Claus parade was fantastic. The floats were very nice and there was a great crowd,” he said.
Lane attended with family members, including several grandchildren who were on one of the floats.
Barrhead County Council Development officer Rick Neumann is someone else with a long experience of Christmas Light-ups.
He remembers when the light-up and parade were separate. Combining them made for a much more memorable spectacle, he said.
“I thought it was a very good parade,” he added.
Gary Belanger, manager of Champion Feeds, saw the festivities as a fantastic family occasion and a boost for local business.
“It’s good to support the local merchants,” he said.
One of those merchants is Cheryle Morris, who runs Define Clothing, where prices have been slashed as part of a sales promotion. She said late-night shopping had been a big success.
“It was absolutely amazing,” she said. “It’s been a great day. It’s been crazy busy.”
Morris believed the warmer weather had encouraged a big crowd to Christmas Light-up. The addition of fireworks and tobogganing had also proved popular.
Her comments were borne out by the sight of Toboggan Hill after 9:30 p.m.
With Main Street virtually deserted and most revellers back in the warmth of their homes, there were people atop the hill. They were still up for a challenge … even if it meant going down, down and down.
