MOOSE JAW — The Wakamow Valley Authority’s fourth annual Valley of Lights show in the Lorne Calvert Campground has concluded and organizers are now viewing it as another success.
The drive-through light show is one of the largest fundraising events for the Wakamow Valley Authority and ran on Thursdays to Saturdays from Dec. 5, 2024, until its conclusion on Dec. 31, 2024.
Valley of Lights ‘24 involved a single drive-through only loop where guests could drive around as many times as they wished for a suggested $10 donation. All proceeds helped support the upkeep and maintenance of the park’s 200 hectares (500 acres) of recreational and natural spaces.
Last year’s Valley of Lights show was expanded with more than 100,000 LED lights illuminating the entire perimeter of the campground in a first. The drive-through route was also simplified from the previous figure-eight loop, a move that made it easier to navigate the viewing area.
The latest show also incorporated a few festive additions including “Candy Cane Lane,” an illuminated row of candy canes that flanked both sides of the final stretch of road leading to the exit. In a recent press release, Donna McQuarrie-Bye, general manager of the Wakamow Valley Authority, said recently that this addition quickly became “a favourite for many.”
One highlight of the month was the returning visit of the ever-mischievous evil elf, The Grinch, followed closely by festive appearances by the Moose Jaw Community Choir and Santa Claus himself.
The always-popular wagon rides provided by Prairie Percherons also returned as a standout attraction, with a cancellation on Dec. 7, 2024, due to freezing rain seeing no lull in its popularity. The horse-drawn wagon rides simply rescheduled for Dec. 19, 2024, and on Christmas Eve the tradition continued with a sold-out return to mark the holidays.
“Our maintenance staff worked tirelessly for two months prior to ensure as many of the trees (as possible) were ready for opening day,” McQuarrie-Bye stated in a nod to those who helped make the event possible.
As well, A.E. Peacock Collegiate’s industrial arts students helped contribute to the light show by designing and building a few new displays including a collection of snowmen of varying heights. The class isn’t calling it quits, of course, and students are already busy creating another display to be unveiled at the next light snow in December 2025.
The Wakamow Valley Authority wished to give a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who made the show a success, including the Wakamow Events Committee, Santa Claus, the Moose Jaw Community Choir, and the AAA Moose Jaw Warriors. Their time and dedication were instrumental in creating a memorable experience this holiday season.
The authority also wished to thank its generous sponsors including the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Club, Knight Ford, Collier Electric, Andy’s Transmission, Simpson Seeds, Burger Cabin, Diggings Enterprises, Duncan Roofing, South Hill Community Association, Heartland Financial, Ottawa Real Estate, BTN Accounting Professionals, Non-Profit Governance Solutions, and the New Southern Plains Metis Local No. 160.
“Thank you to the public who attended, (supported) this event, and (who) enjoyed sharing the spirit of Christmas during the holidays. See you in 2025,” McQuarrie-Bye concluded.
To learn more about the Wakamow Valley Authority visit Wakamow.ca or ‘Wakamow Valley Authority’ on Facebook.
The Lorne Calvert Campground is located at 300 River Drive across from the Wakamow Oval.
