Residents preparing for return of Kelowna’s Candy Cane Lane

A Rutland neighbourhood is once again preparing to spread Christmas cheer this winter.

For years, residents along Collison Road, Gramiak Road and Mary Court in Kelowna will be setting up thousands of lights this weekend in order to prepare for Candy Cane Lane which runs from Dec. 1 until January.

The annual fundraiser invites others to the neighbourhood while also asking for a donation for the Women’s Shelter, The Salvation Army, Freedom’s Door and food for the breakfast program at Springvalley Elementary.

John Sharhon, spokesperson for the event, said he’s a little behind this year with setting up lights and there’s been a turnover in the neighbourhood so they have more rentals now but he expects lights will be up and ready by the start of December. They hope to begin decorating this weekend.

“I have a bunch of volunteers coming over and we’re going to get at ‘er,” he said. “Once we start getting it up, people get all excited… the big push comes when they see all the work parties and bins outside in the yards.”

Each year, thousands of people visit the neighbourhood to see the light displays.

The neighbourhood also helps one another out for those who are elderly or have challenges putting up the display.

A holiday parade will also be passing through the neighbourhood Dec. 9, collecting donations for Mamas for Mamas.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.