Thousands gather in Victoria Park for Lighting of the Lights
It was a steady stream of people heading into Victoria Park over the dinner hour on Friday, and most filed to the bandshell for a little festive cheer.
The thousands on hand were also ready to add their voices to the Christmas tunes, adding an emphatic “hey” during the singing of “Jingle Bells.”
Just before 7 p.m., as the Doug Varty Band was singing, “When The Lights Come on at Christmas,” they flipped the switch and 75,000 lights filled the trees with colour.
There was a lighting of the lights last year but, deep in the throes of the pandemic, no crowds were allowed.
It was a disappointment for Amanda Angus and her family but they were happy to be back this year to resume a Christmas tradition.
"We used to come here when I was a kid,” she said. “We always came to lighting of the lights and went home and decorated the Christmas tree. So I thought it would be great to bring my daughter, and then my nephews are here. The whole family's here. It's a good time."
Crowds walk through Victoria Park after Lighting of the Lights ceremony in London, Ont. on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (screen grab from video by Gerry Dewan/CTV London)
Two-year-old Jordyn Antoine thought it was a good time, too. She bopped to the music and ran in happy circles. Her family was going to bring her last year but Sharlene Sterkenburg feels she was able to appreciate it more this year.
"She loves to dance. She loves people. She loves the lights,” Sterkenburg said.
About half of those gathered were wearing masks even though Mayor Ed Holder encouraged everyone to be masked, and that message was repeated from the bandshell stage.
Despite that, Holder says vaccines and the outdoor conditions put his mind at ease.
"One of the positives is that we're outdoors and what the Middlesex London Health Unit consistently tells us is that outdoor events are significantly safer than indoor events,” he said.
Holder says a lot of thought went into the decision open this event to the public, "Last year, sadly, it was easier to make that decision to not go because of the pandemic and the number of case counts were so great,” he said. :But, you know, Londoners have earned this. They deserve tonight."
And after the lights were all on many took the time to make the slow walk through the park to take it all in.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Attempt to have murder charge quashed against alleged serial killer dismissed by judge
A motion filed by the man accused of killing four Indigenous women in Winnipeg to have one of those murder charges quashed has been dismissed by the judge – weeks before the start of his trial.
Government proposes new policy for federally regulated employees to disconnect from work
In their 2024 budget, the federal government wants to amend the Canada Labour Code, so employers in federally regulated sectors will eliminate work-related communication with employees outside of scheduled hours. If implemented, this would affect roughly 500,000 employees across the country.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.