After toying with the idea of a modified version of the Light Up the Night event, the City of Canby has announced it will go virtual-only for the popular annual tree-lighting event at Wait Park.
The city had already canceled significant features of Light Up the Night, including the parade through downtown Canby and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Wait Park gazebo.
However, organizers had hoped to preserve the ability for residents to gather at Wait Park to count down the moment when the tree and park are first lit to kick off the holiday season.
“Originally, the city was set on an abbreviated event to encourage social distancing and mask-wearing,” a press release from the city Wednesday said. “Over the last few weeks, it has become clear we need to pare down the event even further.”
The virtual event will instead be a pre-recorded video that goes live at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4, featuring the “Who Lights Up Canby” winner and Mayor Brian Hodson.
The video will be shared and promoted on Facebook through The Canby Current, Canby Herald, CTV Channel 5 and the Canby Area Chamber of Commerce.
The lights in Wait Park will be turned on the morning of Dec. 4 to discourage people congregating in Wait Park at a specific time, the city said. As always, the lights will stay on until early January.
The City of Canby will continue its efforts promoting the local business community and downtown Canby while maintaining social distancing guidelines.
The city’s economic development team recently collaborated with the Current to create the 2020 Canby Community Holiday Gift Guide campaign to remind citizens to patronize their favorite businesses this holiday season.
The ongoing digital campaign highlights unique holiday gift options for those who make the important commitment to shop local.
