Celebrate a night of winter fun at Banta Park during the first annual Twinklefest in Crossfield, which also supports the holiday tradition of the Crossfield Agricultural Society’s Christmas light contest.
On Dec. 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. residents can gather around a bon fire at Banta Park with hot chocolate, s’mores and sleigh rides through some of Crossfield’s lit up neighbourhoods, said Adrienne Fedrigo, community development co-ordinator with the Town.
Residents are encouraged to register their homes with the Town so it can be listed on a holiday light map, which families can follow throughout the festive season.
“If people want to get in the car and drive around, they can have an idea where lights are around town,” she said.
In conjunction with the event, the Crossfield Ag Society’s annual Christmas light contest begins Dec. 5, running through Twinklefest until a winner is chosen on Dec. 15.
The three winners, one from town, one from the eastern rural areas and one from the western rural areas, will be announced in the Dec. 22 edition of the Rocky View Weekly and receive a $100 gift card to Carmens Big Way, according Crossfield Ag Society president Tenelle Gilfoil.
She added, though there is no criteria to being considered for the prize other than having a light display on the house, the judges would be looking for one that stands out above and beyond the rest.
“We’re looking for the biggest, best, prettiest, most eye catching display,” she said.
In the past, Gilfoil said the winners have usually been the same year after year and the Ag Society is hoping with the help of the Town, more people will get in the festive spirit and go all out with decorations.
Though having your house represented on the light map is not a necessity to be considered for the light contest, she believes it might be the spark that encourages more houses to show an interest in lighting up neighbourhoods across town.
“It encourages the community to take the time to go out and really discover your community, meet your neighbours and see the different areas of town you may not usually venture to,” she said.
Fedrigo said her role in community development has consisted of getting more boards to work together to promoting events around town.
Her hope for Twinklefest moving forward is that the light map will gain popularity, which would result in more residents striving to win the Christmas light contest.
“I hope it will get bigger and better next year and years going forward,” she said.
Gilfoil noted the light contest could not be made possible without the help of its dedicated volunteers who go out night after night to judge houses.
The Ag Society is always looking for more volunteers to help, she said, and anyone interested can reach out through the Ag Society’s Facebook page.
“We’re very excited to have this partnership with the Town of Crossfield to enhance the overall experience of this event that has been running for many years,” Gilfoil said.
Monetary or non-perishable food donations will also be accepted the night of Twinklefest to support the Crossfield Fire Department’s Christmas hamper program.
