AMHERST – Santa Claus and his elves aren’t the only ones preparing for Christmas.
“Town crews have been working on preparations for the Christmas Light-Up since Remembrance Day trying to get things together,” said Andrew MacGregor, Arts, Culture and Heritage coordinator for the Town of Amherst. “So it’s quite a major undertaking, and it certainly makes the town look more festive.
The 10th Annual Amherst Christmas Light-Up is Friday night at 7 p.m.
This is the second year the Christmas Light-Up will occur at the newly renovated Victoria Square.
“There will be more lights than last year because we were able to do some different things in terms of getting trucks in,” said MacGregor. “Last year it (Victoria Square) was finished two weeks before the event and there were some limitations to what we could do and couldn’t do.”
The light up is one of the most popular events on the Amherst calendar.
Before the light up, the Sackville Citizens Band will provide live music beginning at 6:40 p.m.
Also, Victoria Square will host a Nova Scotia Power and Conserve Nova Scotia LED Light Exchange beginning at 5:30 p.m., whereby people can exchange old Christmas lights for LED Christmas lights, which are safer and more energy efficient.
After mayor Robert Small flicks the switch to light up Victoria Square, the celebration will move to the First Baptist Church, where the Amherst Regional High School Band will accompany choirs. Everyone is welcome to join in and sing along to the music.
The festivities then move to Dayles Department Store for their own light up, followed by readings singing and more music by the Sackville Citizens Band.
“People should come out and join in on the festivities,” said MacGregor. “It’s acts as the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season and it’s a great opportunity to be downtown at a great community event.”
The festivities are no cost to the public.
MacGregor also wanted to remind people that the parade trophy presentations following Saturday nights parade will be at the new Town Hall on Victoria Street.
dmathieson@amherstdaily.com
