Director of Community Services Art Manhire shared some festive good news during Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls. The behind-the-scenes work of this year’s Festival of Lights is well underway. Like last year, it will be set up at Centennial Park on Confederation Drive.

The Festival of Lights, which will begin November 29 and continue into the New Year, is a treasured part of Smiths Falls’ holiday season, and it leads to full bellies as well as full hearts. 

“We currently have 17 sponsors, and money from those sponsors will be collected and put toward Smiths Falls food security,” explained Director Manhire.  “We’re putting up trees along with this, that companies will sponsor, and those will be distributed to families that are in need.”

The Christmas trees will be up from November 29 to December 19, at which point they will be donated to families in need.

Manhire noted that the Santa Claus parade, which is hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion, will be held on December 11. This will start at the Youth Arena and move south along Beckwith to Settlers Ridge mall. “The elves are furiously putting things together,” Manhire assured the Committee. The theme this year is Disney, and the Legion welcomes community service groups and businesses to enter their festive floats in the parade.

Article by Janelle Labelle