With just one weekend and then a couple of more days left until the Airdrie Festival of Lights (AFOL) turns off the switch on its 24th annual season, 2019 is shaping up as one of the best ever for the colourful festival. 

Executive Director Michelle Pirzek calls this season "incredible" for AFOL.  "The weather has been unbelievably cooperative, which has been fantastic.  Early reports are showing that our attendance numbers are up this season.  We're probably down a little bit in revenues but it was something we budgeted for in that it's not a great economy this year, we know that."

Pirzek says it's the model of donation by whatever you can afford that has allowed everyone to enjoy the festival each year.  "It can be life-changing in some instances, I've witnessed it personally," Pirzek says. "Families that can connect together stay together, right?  We say it's admission by a cash donation of what's affordable to you and it's been well received."

Pirzek believes that families come to the festival each year because it's an outing they can enjoy together.  "I think people are just enjoying the fact that they're able to get out of the house for a while, the weather is nice, the lights are bright and beautiful.  We are 100 percent LED, they're crisp."

Pirzek says the night of rain Airdrie received just over a week ago did make for one night of a damper for the festival and generated some negative feedback.  Otherwise, she says, the reviews have been generally positive.  "I think that people are starting to capture that it's a volunteer, non-profit organization.  We exist so that they can enjoy."

December 7th was an extremely busy night at Nose Creek Park.  The Annual Santa Claus Parade was held earlier in the day on Main Street and the CP Holiday Train made it's way to the park to be met by large crowds.  Pirzek says the night turned out well for all parties concerned.    

"Attendance numbers are up but it is a night we do in support of the Airdrie Food Bank, That's the night where we will accept food donations versus cash so I think the Food Bank fared very well that day, but it was also a very good night for us as well."

Another big night is coming up on New Year's Eve, the final night for the festival.  Air 106.1 will be sponsoring a DJ Dance Party from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm inside of the festival's heated tent.  

Early in 2020, volunteers with the festival will begin planning for their 25th season, which Pirzek says will be big.  "Thank you for making our 24th year even better than our 23rd. We expect even bigger and better things for our 25th.  Every year we're glowing and growing."

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