For the 28th annual year, Langley’s Williams Park will be lit up with lights, decorations, Santa Claus, reindeer, and much more.
Volunteers and Township of Langley staff began decorating the park last week, and mayor Jack Froese plugged in the final extension cord on Nov. 30 to kick off “Christmas in Williams Park.”
“Our staff have been very helpful. Over the last year, we’ve made a lot improvements to the park. A brand new trail, the driveways have been paved and it’s enhanced the park for users year round but especially for this time of year when the lights are here,” said Froese.
Froese explained the planning for the display starts in the fall, and then several volunteers spend about a week on the ground setting up the lights and displays.
The event is generally a drive-through, but this year, paved driveways and light arches have been added so visitors can park the car and take a walk right through the lights.
Barb Sharp, Christmas in Williams Park president said there is also a lot more lights this year, as well as more blow-ups like reindeer, snowmen, and dragons.
And throughout the 28 years of lighting up Williams Park, one thing has remained the same – it’s free.
“I love Christmas. And I love the history behind this event. It started 28 years ago in order to create an event that was free for families and we still have it free for families,” said Sharp.
Sharp said CUPE B.C. will offer free hot chocolate and candy canes at the display this Friday.
Froese added the free event “brings families together.”
“People get into the Christmas spirit. It’s a free event for our families and we want to make sure people in the Township of Langley have the opportunity to enjoy our parks with their family,” added Froese.
According to the Township’s park services coordinator Scott Johnson, the event started years ago with a group of neighbours who wanted to decorate a local park.
“The neighbours approached the Township and the Township went into partnership with groups and neighbours and it took off from there. More and more people started getting involved.”
Johnson said approximately 10,000 vehicles visit the display in Williams Park each year.
The lights can be seen every night now until Dec. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Williams Park is located at 238th Street and 68th Avenue
