There will be a Cochrane Light Up this November…literally.
Cochrane Light Up board chair Marni Fedeyko has been hard at work with the event’s new group of board members to make this and future festivities even more exciting than in the past.
“We’re definitely adding to it,” said Fedeyko, who confirmed there would be an actual ‘light up’ in downtown Cochrane during the event that would include a Christmas tree and Main Street businesses that will occur around 5:30 p.m.
“The biggest thing we’ve heard,” said Fedeyko, “is that it’s too quiet down here.”
The Light Up board has been doing what it can to rectify this complaint this coming November.
Adding to the list of attractions at 2013’s Light Up will be ice sculptures, hay rides, a children’s area that will include, in addition to Santa photos, face painting and various other kids activities from Crock A Doodle, a paint-it-yourself pottery franchise.
Fedeyko said 14 fire pots have been sold for Light Up, and the remaining four were recently auctioned off to four additional businesses — Shoppers Drug Mart, Cochrane Motor Sports, Chinook Ridge Golf Course and Fifth Avenue Dental Clinic.
Hot dogs provided by Safeway, hot chocolate from Tim Hortons and coffee, possibly from another beverage giant in town, will be available to patrons. Hamper giveaways, which will contain $500 of goods, will also be handed out. Fedeyko said two hampers have already been confirmed, but she is hoping some local businesses will step forward so they can offer a couple more.
Fedeyko is working on organizing a Christmas market that would run during Light Up, and is currently on the lookout for vendors that would be interested in taking part.
Spray Lake Sawmills is providing funding for the lights that will be used to light up the Christmas tree, while Canadian Tire is offering financial assistance to purchase small trees that will be placed around Main Street.
Cochrane’s emergency services will be recognized during Light Up for the work they did during the June floods.
Fedeyko said the cost for this coming year’s Light Up compared to last is expected to be approximately $7,000 higher with the additions being added to the event. Light Up continues to search for corporate sponsorship, with Fortis Alberta and Calbridge Homes already on board.Light Up will also be partnering with Cochrane Tourism and Travel Alberta.
Light Up will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2014, and to mark the event, Fedeyko is hoping Cochrane residents have some pictures of past Light Ups kicking around that they can use to show the history behind the festivities.
Around 3,500 people attended Light Up last year.
Anyone wishing to contact Fedeyko about Light Up can call 403-796-8068.
