Christmas Lights for Cancer
In what's become an annual tradition, Karen and Walter Wagner will once again be hosting their Christmas Lights for Cancer fundraiser this December at their home at 19056 63B Ave.
"I lost my father to cancer over thirty-five years ago and in the past few years we lost our dear friend, Eleanor," Karen said. "My husband and I do the lights in remembrance and we raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society in the hopes that we will, through research, eradicate the disease."
The Wagners have created a large Christmas display for over 25 years, but since they started using their December tradition to raise funds for the Cancer Society the lights have only become brighter and more eye-catching—with an added computer program, they put on a light show, too.
Although the number of lights that go up every year is unknown, the Wagners have so many that they have added an extra fuse box to handle the volume of electricity. Walter starts setting up the display immediately after Halloween so that they have time to get everything just right.
The Christmas display will be up from Dec. 4 to Dec. 26, from 6 to 10 p.m.. On every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, Team Eleanor and Team Walk the Talk Surrey will serve hot chocolate to viewers, and candy canes to any younger audience members. The light and music show starts every hour, on the hour, and lasts for 30 minutes. Donations will be accepted on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life campaign.
The people that come by to see the lights do so for many reasons, Karen said. Holiday excitement, joy, curiousity. "Some people that I've spoken to are going through (cancer) treatment, and I hope that they get peace and that the lights brighten their holiday season," said Karen.
Every year she speaks to cancer survivors, people currently undergoing treatment, and people, like herself, who have lost loved ones to the disease. Karen said that they do the lights so that people can find peace, happiness and community. "It's a time we can remember those we have lost and hopefully remember those happy times we shared together,” she said.
Over the last two years, the event has raised $2,600 for the cause.
Join the Wagner's for their Christmas season kick-off event on Friday Dec. 2 from 6 to 10 p.m..
Winter Wonderland
The Bonneteau family will once again be putting on their annual Christmas display. Their home will feature thousands of lights, a handmade Nativity scene, and "all kinds of illuminated figurines." They will be accepting donations on behalf of Variety, the Children's Charity.
View their display at 16951 Jersey Drive from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. from Nov. 29 to Jan. 3.
Wish Upon a Star
Visit 20681 44 Ave. Langley BC from Nov. 20–Dec. 31 from 5 p.m. to midnight to see the annual Wish Upon a Star display.
It features over 44,000 lights, animated characters and Santa and his sleigh flying overhead. Say hello to Mr. Christmas, an interactive musical snowman, take a picture with Rudolph or Bumble and the misfit toys, sip on hot chocolate and enjoy the twinkling magic.
Donations will be accepted for BC Children's Hospital.