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Almost Midnight Madness, Santa Claus Parade a go

Town of Ponoka and Chamber of Commerce going ahead with festivities
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(File photo)

The Town of Ponoka, along with the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce, is planning to go ahead with the Santa Claus Parade and Light Up Ponoka festivities, along with Almost Midnight Madness.

The festivities are set for Friday, Nov. 19.

The fun will begin with the annual Santa Claus parade, which is organized by the chamber, rolling through the downtown at 5 p.m.

The parade will feature colourful, holiday-themed floats festively decorated by local businesses and community groups.

The procession will wind through downtown Ponoka, beginning at the Ponoka Arena Complex, then north along 54 St., east down 46 Ave., north on 50 St., and then west on 51 Ave., before heading south on 51 St., then west on 48 Ave. and south on 54 St. back to the Arena.

Roadblocks and “no parking” signs will be erected just before 5 p.m., and removed as soon as the parade ends.

To see a map of the parade route, go to www.ponoka.ca.

The Santa Claus parade will be followed immediately by the Town of Ponoka’s annual ‘Light Up Ponoka’ Christmas tree lighting ceremony, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Downtown Skating Plaza at 5110-48 Ave.

Throughout the evening, local businesses will be offering Almost Midnight Madness deals in celebration of the holiday season.

The Ponoka Community Market will also be open for business from 3 to 9 p.m. beside the skating plaza, in the old library building at 5110-48 Ave.

The evening will wrap up with a fireworks display sponsored by the Town of Ponoka and Ponoka County, beginning at 9 p.m. over the Battle River Valley.

Citizens will be able to view the fireworks from the downtown area or near the parking lot at the baseball diamonds at 46 St. and 43 Ave.

Work will begin on construction of the Downtown Skating Plaza in the coming weeks. The ice will be added at a later date once weather permits.

The town’s annual Light Up Ponoka festivities will also once again include Christmas decorations and lights throughout the downtown.

Work is also about to begin on the town’s annual Christmas light display at Lions Centennial Park, which the town says is expected to be even bigger and brighter this year.

The Christmas light display will expand further toward the south end of Centennial Park this year and is expected to be completed by early December.

The Centennial Park light display will showcase a combination of new and existing lights that have been donated over the years.

For more information about Almost Midnight Madness and the chamber’s annual Passport to Christmas program, please visit the their website at www.ponokalive.ca.

During the outdoor and indoor festivities, the town reminds to please follow provincial health requirements and guidelines, including physically distancing, wearing a mask and staying home if you are feeling unwell or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.