‘Labour of love’: Christmas light displays light up Manitoba communities outside of Winnipeg

Decorations are seen outside of Thompson City Hall in a recent photo (city of Thompson)

A tree towering over city hall. Lights that twinkle in the night. A Yuletide spirit in the air.

These are some of the sights that people around Manitoba and Ontario experience each year around the holiday season, as communities decorate their buildings, light their Christmas trees and celebrate the season.

CTV News chatted with some of those communities to hear how they celebrate the season and what festive traditions light up the holidays.

Portage la Prairie

A group of Santa’s helpers have taken charge in bringing the Christmas spirit to Portage la Prairie.

Mayor Sharilyn Knox said the Holiday Avenue Project helps with decorative projects around the city, including the planters down Saskatchewan Avenue and installing twinkle lights throughout the city.

“I’m a big believer in beautifying things,” Knox said. “I think having a real welcoming feel to your community is important. There’s so many things as a municipality that we have to work on, from roads and infrastructure, but we also need to talk about having joy. Celebration is just as important to a city.”

The city recently had its annual Christmas tree lighting in front of City Hall. This year, Knox noted, the city has invested in permanent decorative lighting in front of city hall that will change colour for different seasons and events.

Kenora

The City of Kenora’s Christmas traditions have been going on for nearly a century. The city has done a tree lighting since 1931 and puts up lights around the Harbour Town Centre.

“I think it just brings joy to people’s faces, and it feels warm and cozy, almost like a Hallmark movie,” said Allyson Pele, the economic development officer for the City of Kenora.

“We’ve got a great downtown and community full of small businesses and places for people to get together and enjoy this time of year. I think having all the lights and the big Main Street tree kind of sets the tone and mood.”

Pele said setting up the tree and lighting it is a large undertaking.

“It’s a labour of love from different volunteer groups and several different departments from the City of Kenora,” she said.

In addition to the tree and light displays around the city, Pele said they have also introduced a holiday trail brochure, where residents can receive vouchers for gifts from different businesses.

Thompson

While it may not be the North Pole, in northern Manitoba you can feel the spirit of Christmas in Thompson’s recreation centre. That where the city’s Christmas tree and other decorations are set up.

“The Rec Centre is sort of a gathering place,” said Ian Graham, the City of Thompson’s communications manager. “A lot of people come there, and their kids are playing hockey or figure skating or taking part in sports. So, I think it gives it a festive atmosphere.”

Graham said it takes roughly one week to get the Rec Centre set up, and roughly three or four days to set up decorations outside of city hall.

He said it’s important to keep the festive feeling going.

“Right now, up here, the only daylight is between 8:30 in the morning and 4 p.m.,” he said. “When you have long hours of darkness, it just brightens everyone’s mood to see some colourful displays and some lights when they’re driving around.”

This holiday season, CTV News would love to hear from you. Share photos of your festive traditions and decorations in your community by email and they may be used in a photo gallery online.