The City of Wrenford welcomed more than 2,000 neighbours to Riverside Flats Park on Saturday, December 13, for the annual City Hall Christmas tree lighting. Residents of all ages braved the cold to enjoy carolers, hot chocolate, and the illumination of a 40-foot Fraser fir donated by local growers.
The tree, adorned with 50,000 energy-efficient LED lights, now stands as the centrepiece of the downtown holiday display. Mayor Danielle Okafor-Price joined community leaders and city staff to mark the occasion.
"This tree is a gift from our local growers and a symbol of the warmth and resilience that defines our community," said Mayor Okafor-Price. "It is wonderful to see so many families coming together to kick off the holidays in the centre of our city."
The event featured live performances from local carol groups, alongside a visit from Santa Claus. City staff from Fire Station 1 (Headquarters) were on hand to answer questions about winter fire safety and distribute free smoke alarm batteries.
With the holidays underway, the City reminds residents to plan ahead for holiday activities and waste. Wrenford Transit will operate on a modified schedule during the holiday week, with routes 1 through 14 running on a Sunday timetable from December 24 to December 26. Residents planning to attend events or visit family are encouraged to check the transit timetable online and consider using Wrenford Access for specialized transit needs.
Garbage collection will pause on December 25, with all regular services resuming on December 26. If you have bulky items or holiday wrapping materials to dispose of, the East Wrenford Waste Management Facility and the Northgate Drop-off Depot will remain open on regular Saturday hours until December 20. After that date, the depots will close for the holidays and reopen on January 4.
For more information on holiday parking restrictions, transit schedules, and upcoming community events, visit the News & Events page. You can also find details on Development Applications and Parks & Trails to plan your winter activities.