4 minute read
Festival of Lights
Buzzing with Holiday Spirit plus 300 Drones
BY FRANCESCA PACCHIANO
Last year, the Festival of Lights ended without fireworks. This year, there’s a new show to cap off the night. The LDCU has sponsored and organized the first-ever public drone show on Vancouver Island as the send-off at the end of the night.
John de Leeuw, CEO for the Ladysmith & District Credit Union, was the brains behind the operation, taking it from an idea to fruition. “We’re very proud that the Credit Union has found an alternative that we believe is magical and spectacular and will showcase not only the community of Ladysmith and Light Up night but [also] Vancouver Island when we take into account that it is the first-ever public drone show on Vancouver Island. We’re very proud to be able to sponsor and organize this. This isn’t us just cutting a check. This is us taking on this project from start to finish. And it’s just another example of how we know that it’s important and part of our responsibility to step up for our community.”
The drone show is a more environmentally friendly option than fireworks. While fireworks are beautiful and beloved by many, they can cause fires, can be dangerous if lit incorrectly, and are harmful to pets and other animals. Drones are much less noisy, with no loud explosions, and are programed to display images through choreographed lights. The drone show is expected to run the full fifteen minutes that the original firework display used to last.
Michael Robinson, the marketing director at the LDCU described it as storytelling in lights. “It’s quite different [from fireworks]. You’re working in multi-layers, in four-dimensional space. The drone shows work [by having] the drones in layers. They turn some lights on and turn some lights off to get everything to tie in together and create this animated story right in lights in the sky.”
Using 300 drones, the show will be themed to bring in the Christmas cheer. John wouldn’t share too much about the show, but he said to look out for a train and hinted that the LDCU’s mascot, Sunny, might make an appearance. “It is the kickoff of the Christmas season. It’s meant for families. It’s meant to bring the community together. It is a wonderful evening and a wonderful show.”
If you’re unfamiliar with Ladysmith’s favourite tradition, the Festival of Lights falls on the last Thursday of November, and it’s the town’s annual kickoff to the holiday season. The town is lit with thousands of sparkling Christmas lights, bringing locals and tourists alike to bask in the magic of it.
The Artisan Craft Fair opens at 3 p.m., and it’s the perfect place to find unique gifts. Activities officially kick off at 4 p.m. and include the Doctors of Rock ’n’ Roll performing on the main stage, as well as roving performers, like NRZ LED robots, jugglers and fairies. Santa even makes a stop in from the North Pole and will be available for visits with children from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The Kinsman Parade starts just after 6:30 p.m. and showcases festive floats and community spirit from local businesses and organizations alike. If you want to participate, registration is open until November 16th.
Traditions like these can be expensive to run, and Sam Day, vice president of the Festival of Lights, noted that the monthly 50/50 raffle “has been a tremendous success in supporting our fundraising efforts this year. We encourage everyone to participate and help keep the lights shining bright!”
For more information and to enter the raffle, visit their website (www.ladysmithfol.com).
