It's almost time to kick off the Christmas season in the High Country.
Wagon rides and Santa Claus will be back in Black Diamond for Light Up Diamond Valley on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. The event will see downtown Black Diamond become a winter wonderland with attractions like caroling, fire pits and photos with Santa.
“There’s going to be activities all through town,” said Shelley Broadley, planning and economic development assistant with the Town of Black Diamond.
Photos with Santa and horse-drawn wagon rides are two attractions that are returning after being unavailable last year, Broadley said.
Festival-goers will be able to have free photos taken with Santa at the Griffiths Centre, and wagon rides will depart from the town office, which will also have a tree decorated with lights.
Many businesses and community groups will be taking part in the festivities, and late-night shopping will provide an opportunity to get a jump on gift buying. With unique businesses and artisans, there will be lots to see, she said.
Turner Valley businesses have also been invited to participate in whatever ways they can.
“Whether they want to set up a booth or kind of co-ordinate with other businesses, we've kind of left that up to the business community there," she said. "But they've all been invited to participate."
Fire pits and hot chocolate will give people a chance to warm up throughout the night.
“A lot of the local businesses, they’ll have hot cocoa or other treats, so you can go around to all of the different businesses and find out what they've got for sales, but they've also got treats and stuff,” she added.
Weather permitting, she hopes the skating rink at the Lions campground will be ready for skaters by Dec. 3. The rink is typically decorated with lights for the special night, but organizers need the weather to cooperate, Broadley said
"Knock on wood that they're able to do it," she said.
The Village of Longview is holding its annual Light Up event on Dec. 2.