Santa extravaganza at Loch Sloy Saturday

A 56-foot high, 30-foot wide solar lighted Christmas tree built by the crew at Tri-Canadian Energy Inc. and Tri-Canadian Energy Communications with help from Prince Edward Air Base / Loch-Sloy Holdings Limited and the Prince Edward County Fire Department has been named The Tree of Hope.

Santa’s elves are busy putting final touches of Christmas magic on a festive path through Loch Sloy to be unveiled Saturday night.

Volunteers from Tri-Canadian Energy and Tri-Canadian Communications have partnered with Loch Sloy Business Park to transform it into the Festive Path Santa Extravaganza.

The wonderland of lights, decorations, ‘floats’ and music will welcome car loads of families Saturday, Dec. 12 from 6-10 p.m. – free of charge. Those who are able, are encouraged to make donations that will be forwarded to two charities – the Recreation Outreach Centre, and Alternatives for Women.

“The motivation behind the event is to ensure there is some joy and cheer within our community after a long, difficult year,” said Steve Van Dusen, owner of TCE and TCC, noting some families are struggling to put food on the table, let alone purchase Christmas presents due to not being able to work.

In light community festivals and events needing to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he insisted the event be free of charge for all who want to attend.

“There are many generous businesses who have stepped up to help sponsor the event – Home Hardware, Metro, Sobeys and Otter Energy to name just a few,” he said.

The Prince Edward County Fire Department also assisted by bringing the ladder truck to help put solar-powered lights on top of a giant ‘Tree of Hope’ created at the business park.

“This is a gift for all of Prince Edward County. We hope it is a beacon of joy and inspiration as we head into this long winter season.”

He thanks the community for coming together to make the season a little more merry, and bright.

Jennifer Litke, chair of the committee responsible for planning and organizing the event in only four weeks, put together a team of volunteers and recruited creative talent from the Department of Illumination and Shatterbox Theatre to add magical elements.

“There will be a few wonderful surprises in store for everyone who attends,” she said.

Expecting a tremendous amount of traffic on the night of the event, plans to ease congestion include a request that all drivers arrive from the County Road 10 (Lake Street) end of the hill.

Drivers are asked to line up along the right-hand side of the road and traffic elves will direct people into the event.

At the end of the festive path, drivers can decide which direction to take for the finale.

There will be a Santa tent where children will be able to meet with Santa via a ‘Zoom’ internet call, or attendees can choose to drive-in to a live performance by the County’s Instant Rivalry duo Megan and Caleb Hutton, who will be performing on a solar-powered stage.

Donations toward the charities will be will be accepted at buckets at the gate, and at the exit.