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Coldstream lights up for holiday event

The community gathers to welcome the 14th annual Community Christmas Light Up Sunday, Nov. 26
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Lt. Stefan Reid Corps officer/executive director of the Salvation Army in Vernon (left), Vernon Vipers Shane Kelly, Jimmy Lambert and Jesse Lansdell, Princess Silver Star Meghan Townley, Queen Silver Star Jordynne Tomiak, Christian Segura and David Hockley with Coldstream Christian Church prepare for the Coldstream Christmas Light Up, which runs at the church Sunday, Nov. 26. (Parker Crook/Morning Star)

A tall tree, adorned with piercing white lights, stands stoic adjacent the Coldstream Christian Church.

The community gathers around a warming bonfire, crafted by Coldstream fire fighters, welcoming the 14th annual Community Christmas Light Up Sunday, Nov. 26 at 6 p.m.

“It’s very much a community event,” says David Hockley, with the church. “It was just the idea that we have a big tree and it would be good to do a community light up.”

As kids of all ages partake in holiday crafts and wait to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Vernon Vipers play a game of shinny while a local choir serenades the crowd. And, Hockley hopes, this year will also see the return of the live nativity scene.

With Queen Silver Star Jordynne Tomiak, Princess Silver Star Meghan Townley and Mayor Jim Garlick in attendance, it’s a holiday event aimed at uniting the community.

“It gets a good crowd of people every year,” Hockley says, adding that attendance sits around 600 people per year. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s non-commercial and we’re looking forward to doing it again.”

While the event is free, participants are encouraged to bring a donation for the food bank.


@VernonNews
parker.crook@vernonmorningstar.com

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