Families and friends gathered with holiday cheer at Fernie’s Station Square Friday (Nov. 26) night for carols, fireworks and bright christmas lights.
The evening festivities were a combination of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce’s annual shopping event to promote local businesses in the city, and the city’s own Light Up The Night event, culminating in a day of events around Fernie.
READ MORE: Fernie to kick off holiday season with lights, fireworks and sales
Station Square was filled with hundreds of people at around 6:45 p.m., all gathered to take pictures with Mr. And Mrs. Claus, listen to Christmas carols, and turn their eyes to the sky for a bright and booming fireworks display.
“We’re stoked about the fireworks for tonight, because we haven’t seen fireworks in so long,” said Renata Dirks, who attended the event with her two children Axel and Sophia and their friend Nicole Roa.
The kids said they felt happy and excited to see Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and wanted to get candy canes from them.
Avery McCrady, 10, also felt “really excited” to see the fireworks.
“I really love Christmas because that’s when I got my dog. It reminds me of him,” she said.
Executive director of the Fernie Chamber, Brad Parsell thanked all the people who made the event possible after taking a year off in 2020 due to COVID-19.
“Big shout out to them, and big shout out to all of you for supporting local this holiday. Let’s keep our money here in Fernie and #SpendItInFernie.”
Mayor Ange Qualizza then led a countdown for an impressive fireworks display.
Mikael Houde, who was watching the sky light up with his son Noah on his shoulders, said he enjoyed the fireworks and didn’t expect the finale to be so big. It was “awesome,” he said.
Shayne Dahlseide, Lauren Bartosek, and Gina Johnson all flocked to Fernie from Cranbrook to attend the day’s festivities. It was their first time at a Light Up The Night festival in the city.
“It’s beautiful,” Dahlseide said.
“I wish everyone a happy holidays.”
READ MORE: City of Fernie flips the switch on holiday cheer
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