This year's Winter Lights Festival will kick off on Plaid Friday, Nov. 29, said Amanda Fuller, events coordinator for Downtown Williams Lake BIA.
"We have 22 businesses participating and 14 of them are extending their hours that day," she said, adding the idea of "downtown deals after dark" is returning for the first time post COVID-19.
Having extended hours will provide an opportunity for people who work full-time to shop local after work, she said.
Winter Lights will continue the next week up until Saturday, Dec. 7.
A total of 19 businesses have signed up for the window decorating contest, which has the theme of a candy-coated Christmas.
Judges will be checking out the displays and the public will be encouraged to do so as well.
The Tribune, in walks about the community, has noticed that some of the dog grooming businesses in town have really put on the dog, so to speak, with their decorating this year.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, there will be some stores offering in-store activities from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Her list of businesses participating in the in-store activities as of Nov. 26, are Next General Mercantile, Kit and Kaboodle, Cariboo Regional District Library, The Realm of Toys, The Open Book, What the Fluff, CARAboutique, Cariboo Community Church and Lo's Florist.
At 5 p.m. the Winter Lights parade will move its way down Seventh Avenue and along Oliver Street to First Avenue.
"All the winners from last year are back in the parade and that breeds competition year after year," Fuller said, smiling.
As was the case last year, after the parade the Limelight Theatre on Oliver Street will be opened up to the public.
Inside there will be warm drinks from Mint and Lime Catering, cookies from Krust & Krum Bakery and Deli.
The Williams Lake and District Credit Union will provide cookie decorating and youngsters will have an opportunity to write a letter to Santa.
Fuller joined the BIA just before the Winter Lights Festival in 2022 and said after the parade they invited everyone to Spirit Square that year.
It was so cold she ended up going into her truck for intervals to warm up, having to remove her boots and socks.
Last year she suggested they move indoors and rent the Limelight Theatre.
Ironically, it was only 2º C that evening.
Regardless, she said it will be nice for families with young children to be able to relax inside after the parade at the 'warm up' event.
