New West residents still have time to check out the eclectic lineup of activities featured in this year’s Shine Bright initiative.
When COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings forced the cancellation of the city’s annual Santa Claus Parade and tree-lighting ceremony in Hyack Square, the City of New Westminster teamed up with local groups to add a little sparkle to the city over the holidays. Along with a variety of activities, Shine Bright New West features light displays in neighbourhoods across the city for residents to enjoy.
“All of the displays will be up until at least Jan. 5 for the community to enjoy,” said Lisa Kemp, the city’s acting special events coordinator. “There was also an overwhelming response to be added to the Christmas light display map, and there are so many beautiful displays to see throughout the community.”
A map showing locations of all of this year’s Shine Bright New West light displays can be found at www.shinebrightnw.ca.
Laura Ranalletta, who is involved with the Queensborough Residents’ Association and the Queensborough Special Programs Committee, said the community worked in collaboration with the city to develop a plan for two lighting displays for Shine Bright New West. The special programs committee envisioned a playful, candyland-styled display at the Queensborough Community Centre.
“The QCC site includes a gingerbread house, light tunnel, and family of snow people, along with various oversized lollipops, a tree and lit presents on the Ryall Park bandshell,” she said in an email to the Record. “Parks and recreation also developed a wonderful train display and community Christmas tree to add joy to this playful theme.”
At Port Royal Park, the residents’ association sought to create a homier feel to its display. The pergola area is dedicated to frontline workers in New West.
“At the beginning of the pandemic, communities took many opportunities to thank (and feed) frontline workers. Now in the second wave of the pandemic, their sacrifices feel largely forgotten, while their risks have been much greater. From frontline retail workers to medical teams and other emergency services, these are people who continue working and risk their safety to keep our communities healthy and functioning,” she said. “The Port Royal tree acknowledges those works, with ornaments that celebrate the commitment of frontline workers.”
Strands of ornaments, hand-painted by all of the students from Queen Elizabeth Elementary, are featured on the tree.
“New Westminster is shining bright, and it has been so great to see the community come together to support and embrace this campaign,” Kemp said.
Switching it up
Because the City of New Westminster was unable to hold its popular Breakfast with Santa events, it made craft activities that would normally be offered at the events available to local residents.
“Over 300 take-home celebration kits were given out to families in the community,” Kemp said. “The kits featured holiday-themed activities, family-oriented crafts and child-focused giveaways.”
While residents can walk or drive around the city to check out the light displays adorning houses, streets and businesses, they can also enjoy some of the Shine Bright New West initiatives from the comforts of home, including a virtual holiday sing-along and a storytime, which are now available to watch at any time on YouTube or on Telus Optik Channel 345.
Elizabeth Irving, a New Westminster singer and songwriter, approached the city with the idea of hosting a virtual holiday sing-along and put together a video. During the 30-minute video, residents can sing along to tunes like Santa Claus is Coming to Town, I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland, Frosty the Snowman, Let it Snow and Santa Shark, and play a game of Santa Says (aka Simon Says).
You can check it out on YouTube at Shine Bright 2020 Singalong with Elizabeth Irving.
The Virtual Story-time with Santa, sponsored by the Sapperton Business Association, is another option folks can enjoy from home. You can find the 18-minute video on YouTube by searching Shine Bright 2020 Virtual Story-time With Santa video.
