For more than three decades, Summerland has welcomed the festive season with the annual Festival of Lights.

香蕉视频直播淭he Festival of Lights was conceived 32 years ago by four Summerland businessmen, Jerry Hallquist, Art Sewell, Allan Fabbi and myself under the umbrella of the Downtown Business Improvement Area,香蕉视频直播� said Bruce Hallquist. 香蕉视频直播淎t the time, it was the only festival of its kind in the Okanagan香蕉视频直播�.

Current Mayor Toni Boot remembers the early days of the festival.

香蕉视频直播淗aving grown up in Summerland, then returning to raise my two sons, I have attended many Festival of Lights celebrations,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淪ome festivals have seen bone-chilling temperatures, while others have enjoyed relatively mild weather. For me, a light snow always adds an extra touch of magical perfection to the event.香蕉视频直播�

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From the start, the festival was popular.

香蕉视频直播淔estival of Lights was an instant success with an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people in attendance for the first event香蕉视频直播�, Hallquist said. 香蕉视频直播淚t continues to thrive today and is not only a premier holiday event for Summerland, but for the entire Okanagan.香蕉视频直播�

To get the event started the inaugural Festival of Lights committee sold strings of Christmas lights to every merchant and building owner in the downtown area.

Approximately 25,000 lights were sold that first year.

The District of Summerland became involved and decorated the light standards on the streets and other public buildings in the downtown area.

The Festival of Lights now has many events spanning several weeks.

The Light Up Summerland downtown event, on Nov. 29, is the largest single-day festival in the Okanagan with 12,000 to 14,000 people expected to attend.

The Summerland Chamber of Commerce produces the event for the District of Summerland.

香蕉视频直播淚 could not believe the size and scope of the event,香蕉视频直播� said David Hull, executive director of the chamber.

香蕉视频直播淟ast year was my first Light Up event and I was blown away! It is really a magical event that brings not only Summerland folks together but also our neighbours from up and down the valley. The atmosphere is so positive and vibrant.香蕉视频直播�

Additional information on Light Up Summerland and other Festival of Lights events can be found at summerlandlightup.com and on the Summerland Festival of Lights Facebook page.

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