Yorkton Lions Club opens first Christmas lights display

A brand-new holiday lights drive-thru display has opened in Yorkton.

Located at the city’s campgrounds, the “Wonders of Winter” community project consists of 23 different holiday displays, and over 20 decorated trees, for people and families to enjoy.

"We’ve partnered with Legacy Co-op in order to bring it to life. Essentially, it's a Christmas lights display that takes about 10 minutes to drive-thru,” explained Denny Vachon, president of Yorkton Lions Club.

“I think it's just going to raise everyone's levels of Christmas spirit throughout the holidays."

Open from Dec. 8 to Jan. 1, 2025, the $250,000 project will also serve as a fundraiser for the Yorkton Lions Club.

"This is probably our biggest fundraising project ever with Yorkton Lions Club in its 40-50 years in existence,” Vachon said.

“There are many other projects that we do throughout the year, and this will be the biggest one, I think that will be ongoing for the years to come."

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Among other fundraisers – such as the Wine Spirits & Beer Tasting Festival and Lobster Fest – members from the group said they plan to organize the newly event annually.

"We started in July, preparing all the displays and then roping all of the displays, setting up all of the tree lights. It's been a huge effort by the entire club,” expressed Vachon.

The Yorkton Lions Club hopes its Christmas lights project becomes an annual attraction. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News)

One member said the community project would not be possible without the help from local businesses.

"We got support from all over the community, right now we're looking at probably 35-40 businesses behind us,” Don Reed voiced, secretary and treasurer.

“The Legacy Co-op being a major sponsor, a naming sponsor, and we're grateful for that, but it's the community's support that's what made it happen."

Reed added that the campground is usually closed during the winter season and by having the City of Yorkton’s approval to open it, also played a role into bringing the night display to light.

The idea for the holiday event was inspired by Saskatoon’s Enchanted Forest which has been going strong for over two decades.

"We hope that it continues for years to come,” Reed said.

“The Enchanted Forest in Saskatoon is in their 26th year. They're running, we're just kind of crawling, then hopefully we'll walk and then we'll get there."

The month-long event is open to the public from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. until Wednesday, Jan.1. Advance tickets are available at Legacy Co-op for $20 each, and regular tickets will be sold for $5 more at the entrance gate.