Tom Henihan
Express Staff
@SmokyRiverExprs
Signalling the official beginning of Christmas in McLennan, the third annual “Light-Up” event at the Historical Railway Museum took place, 7pm December 1.
With the temperature around -10c and relatively fresh snow on the ground the atmosphere was definitely seasonal with most of those who attended gathered around a lively fire drinking coffee, chatting and singing Christmas carols.
The kids who attended enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies and ran around playing in the snow.
The plan is to keep adding to the display each year with this year’s new addition being a large star mounted on the railway shed. More tree and lights were donated by members of the community.
Roger Bruneau said a few words, thanking those present for participating in the Light Up event and he also reminded everyone that the Northern Alberta Railway Museum needs new volunteers not just to help with the setting up of the Christmas display but also to assist with other projects during the year.
One of the projects that the Museum Society hopes to have in place and decorated for next year’s Light Up event is a refurbished railcar from the early 1900s, the type of railcar that was use as the station agent’s resident and also travelled with the work crews serving as a bunkhouse.
Following the event, the Railway Museum certainly looked festive with numerous Christmas trees, the new star, illuminated boundaries and trim of the railroad shed and rail cars and the large, signature Joy sign still holding pride of place as the display’s center piece.
