It didn't look good there for a while!

The weather was brutally cold which kept the crowds away at first, but thanks to outstanding community support and some late help from mother nature, the Airdrie Festival of Lights will be back for 2017.

Tomorrow evening (February 2) the festival Board of Directors will thank all their volunteers, sponsors and supporters that helped them through a very challenging season in 2016, at the Volunteer Wrap Up Celebrations, going from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Nose Creek Valley Museum.

Society Coordinator Michelle Pirzek says 2016 was fraught with difficulty for the group.

"A non-profit can only bank so much money and when you look at $50,000 in upgrades and then cold weather where you can't run, it became the perfect storm this year.  Things were quite dicey by the middle of December, but the community stepped up in a huge way, and yes, we will be open for 2017."

Pirzek remarks that now it's time to say thank you.  "Tomorrow night is a time to thank our volunteers, sponsors and those who stepped up for our 'Save the Lights' campaign.  We really appreciate everything that everyone did to help make this season a success."

Cheques will also be presented to the community groups that the Festival of Lights work with.

During the off season, the committee will be looking for new members so Pirzek encourages people to follow them on their Facebook page and website.  She's excited about having a new board member who'll be helping them revamp their volunteer program this year.

But, before any of that happens, it's time for a rest!  "Our board is certainly tired," says Pirzek.  "We've been project based for the last few years so we're going to enjoy a little down time, which we haven't seen in three years now."

 

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