A new Christmas tradition begins this year thanks to the Ladner Rotary Club.
On Friday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m., Rotarians invite the whole community to enjoy its inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting event in Memorial Park.
After co-sponsoring the Ladner Rotary Splash Park with the City of Delta, which attracted thousands during the summer, Ladner Rotarians are hoping the play area in Memorial Park will attract many more for the festive season as club members will light it up with two 65-foot trees as well as decorate the adjacent gazebo area.
To help with the big job of suspending all the lights, Rotarians enlisted the services of Bob Mazdine and the use of a 60-foot lift.
The actual lighting of the 65-foot Christmas trees will be at 5:15 p.m. by Rotary Club of Ladner president Kerry-Lynne Findlay and Delta Mayor George Harvie.
“Santa will be out and about spreading good cheer and the spirit of Christmas throughout the three-hour tree lighting event,” said project leader Walt Hayward. “There will be live music provided by community singers known as The Happy Wanderers plus hot chocolate, cookies and candy canes.”
McDonald’s in Ladner will donate freshly baked cookies and Save-On Foods in Ladner is providing the candy canes.
Hayward said an excellent photo opportunity will be inside the Reach building next to the splash park as Santa will be sitting on his large red Christmas chair to welcome children along with two helpers.
Also on hand will be a Santa mailbox with letters going direct to the North Pole. Children can bring a letter from home or create one at one of the craft tables.
“Children that write letters to Santa that are deposited in the mailbox will be answered by Santa before Christmas,” said Hayward. “Having Santa sitting in his large red chair inside the nice warm Reach building is going to provide a great photo opportunity for parents. Add in The Happy Wanderers singers and it’s going to be a great experience.”
The children’s craft tables will be operated by the local Rotary Interactors club (high school age Rotary members) also inside the Reach Child and Youth Development Society building.
