UPDATE: Dec. 4 — Since the time of publication of the Moose Jaw Express, the Wakamow Valley Authority has announced that this year's Valley of Lights event will start on Thursday, Dec. 5, instead of Saturday, Dec. 7 as was announced earlier and stated in the paper.
MOOSE JAW — In a return of its festive annual Christmastime event, the Wakamow Valley Authority is proud to announce this year’s Valley of Lights show as it helps usher in the spirit of the holidays for children of all ages this December.
This year’s show will run Thursdays to Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Lorne Calvert Campground and begins on Thursday, Dec. 5, with its last day on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
“It’s a great way to spread Christmas cheer and give families something to do, (especially) with people coming in from out of town…,” announced Donna MacQuarrie-Bye, the general manger of the Wakamow Valley Authority before last year’s event.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, the show’s first attraction will include the return of Tracey and Blaine Bickford with Prairie Percherons, and they’ll once again be offering horse-drawn wagon rides in the park.
Wagon rides will depart every 15 minutes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the cost is $25 per family of five. E-transfer, debit, credit, and in-person cash payments are available.
Space is limited for the rides, so calling 306-692-2717 ahead to register is a must.
With a date to be confirmed on or around Dec. 12, the Moose Jaw Community Choir will return from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Be sure to check the Wakamow Valley Authority’s Facebook page for further announcements.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, get ready for some Whoville-style fun as The Grinch makes his mischievous arrival in the valley from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to attend the show and bring his signature sneer — and a dash of holiday cheer. Just make sure your heart’s at lest two sizes bigger than usual!
On Thursday, Dec. 19, Santa Claus will make his grand entrance and will be on hand from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for family photos.
Then, on Tuesday, Dec. 24, the Prairie Percherons team will return for a second evening of horse-drawn wagon rides.
The show will feature more than 100,000 LED lights and takes place as a drive-through format. The venue has once again expanded and will include lights along the entire perimeter of the park. The previous figure-eight loop has also been adjusted to be more straightforward.
“We had our VIP night last night (Dec. 1), and it looks absolutely spectacular,” she said.
The venue will also be open on Christmas Day for two additional hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A suggested $10 donation allows families to drive the loop as many times as they wish.
All proceeds help support the upkeep and day-to-day operations in the park’s 200 hectares (500 acres) of recreational and natural spaces.
“This is one of our biggest fundraisers, so we really appreciate the public’s support for this,” she said. “We’re a non-profit, so if businesses and organizations are looking to be part of it, they can contact me. We’re very grateful for our sponsorships because this event is not cheap to put on, and without (them) we wouldn’t have been able to expand the loop this year.
“We want everyone to come out and spread some Christmas cheer, and the park should look a lot more festive with snow on the ground this time around,” MacQuarrie-Bye said.
To learn more about the Wakamow Valley Authority visit Wakamow.ca or ‘Wakamow Valley Authority’ on Facebook. It’s advisable to keep an eye on the organization’s social media for additional announcements and potential schedule changes.
The Lorne Calvert Campground is located at 300 River Drive, nestled in the heart of Moose Jaw’s Wakamow Valley and across from the Wakamow Oval.
