Morinville’s Lite Up the Nite parade brings big crowds and holiday magic

By Shelley Winger
Morinville’s annual Lite Up the Nite celebration once again proved to be one of the
community’s most cherished traditions, drawing record crowds along 100 Avenue and
filling the town with holiday spirit throughout the Nov. 28–30 weekend.
Festivities began Friday with free hot chocolate served by the Morinville Community
Library and the Friends of the Morinville Library Society as families lined the streets early
for the parade. The Musée Morinville Museum was also open Friday and Saturday with an
old-fashioned Christmas village display, Christmas artifacts, and free DIY ornament kits, all
offered with free admission. Later that evening, the Lite Up the Nite Dance Party welcomed
a sold-out crowd of 415 guests, collecting 43 toys and raising more than $600 for Ronald
McDonald House Alberta with support from Presenting Sponsor McDonald’s.
At 5:30 p.m., the Lite Up the Nite Parade travelled west along 100 Avenue with a total of
forty entries, including groups from Gibbons, Bon Accord, Sturgeon County, Redwater, and
MP Michael Cooper. Morinville Mayor Simon Boersma, Deputy Mayor Jenn Anheliger, and
Councillors Maurice St. Denis, Jayson Wood, and Daryn Duliba took part, handing out candy
to spectators. Honourary parade marshal 840 CFCW once again led the procession. Floats
were brightly lit and creative, including a first-time entry from Off the Mat Virtual Golf
featuring a 6-foot inflatable Christmas golf cart, and an entry from the Jessica Martel
Memorial Foundation showcasing an inflatable house decorated for the season with the
message “until all homes are safe.” Many youth and sports groups joined in, including the
Morinville Mavericks, Minor Soccer Association, B League Sports, Sturgeon Hockey Club,
Rooke School of Karate, The Father’s House School and Church, Movement Dance Studio,
Morinville Tiny Tots, Our House Child Care Centres, and MCHS. Larger entries came from
Morinville OK Tire, Roadrunners Towing, Morin Auto Repair Autopro, Smokehouse Grills &
Power Equipment, the Legion, Mission Ridge Stables, the Morinville-Sturgeon Rotary Club,
SCARS, Paradise Acres Ranch, GFL Environmental, Fog Distillery Co., Cote’s Services,
Comfort Construction, and other local businesses, along with town and Sturgeon County
equipment. Santa and Mrs. Claus closed the parade to cheers from the crowd. Families also
enjoyed the Shoppers Glow & Go Station, where glow sticks and candy canes were handed

out, and 96.3 The Breeze entertained attendees with holiday favourites before the lighting
ceremony.
At 6 p.m., the community gathered in front of St. Jean Baptiste Park for the official Lite Up
the Park moment with the Mayor, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and representatives from Shoppers
Drug Mart leading the countdown. The park lit up with bright trees, festive pathways, and
seasonal installations. The evening concluded with a 7:30 p.m. high-level fireworks show at
Notre Dame Park, visible across Morinville and enjoyed by residents from multiple viewing
spots.
Saturday began with the annual Breakfast with Santa hosted by the Lions Club of Morinville
at the Rendez-Vous Centre, where families enjoyed pancakes, sausages, photos with Santa,
and grab bags for children. Activities continued at the Morinville Community Cultural

Centre with the Festive Family Festival, presented by FortisAlberta, featuring cookie
decorating, crafts, balloon art, face painting, live entertainment, and a full audience for the
theatre performance “A Kidmas Carol.” Community generosity continued with donations
collected for the Food Bank and Ronald McDonald House Alberta.
The weekend wrapped up on Sunday with the Flowpoint Fun Skate at the Morinville Leisure
Centre, giving families one more chance to enjoy time together on the ice.
With record turnout, glowing reviews from attendees, and perfect pre-winter weather, the
2025 Lite Up the Nite celebration was a resounding success and once again highlighted
Morinville’s strong community spirit as the unofficial start of the holiday season.