Shaunavon Wellness and Leisure has organized two opportunities for citizens, businesses and groups to show off their lighting displays - the Twinkle Tour and the Shawnee Winter Wonderland.
The Twinkle Tour is set for December Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m. The deadline for participants to sign up their displays is Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.
This is Wellness and Leisure’s second year with the Twinkle Tour, following the success of last year's event.
“I thought it might be something fun to do again this year,” explained Director of Wellness and Leisure Dana Dale. “People seemed to really enjoy it. I remember last year the town was really busy on the night of the tour. It was crazy with people driving around everywhere to see the displays.”
The event was originally created to give people an activity that was safe to do during the holidays, especially as Covid remained a serious health concern.
This year, the Wellness and Leisure organizers will be offering small prizes for the most impressive displays to winners in three different categories - Merriest Lights, Dazzling Decorations and A Joyful Sight.
Dale reminds contestants that judging will begin on December 14 between 6:30 and 8 p.m. so everyone should have their displays ready to go.
The committee will be posting a map of the participating displays and residents can ride around the community checking them out.
A recording of the tour will also be made available online once again for those who cannot make it out to see the displays.
Shaunavon Wellness and Leisure is also hosting its first-ever Shawnee Winter Wonderland this year.
This initiative gives businesses and groups the opportunity to decorate one of eight campground spots in the Shawnee Park.
“The Wellness and Leisure Committee really wanted to have something available for people to walk or drive through in the Shawnee Park because it kind of goes unused when the campground shuts down,” said Dale. “They wanted to find a way for people to still be able to enjoy the park during the winter.”
Businesses or groups can rent a site at the campground to set up their own light and Christmas displays for a small cost of $20 per site.
The displays must be set on a timer that runs from 5 to 10 pm every night.
