Gallagher’s Christmas Light Up Party coming to Lido

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Gallagher’s Christmas Light Up Party is on Friday night at the Lido to kick off the annual light show outside Fort St. John.

The event will include live music, appetizer platters, door prizes and giveaways starting at 7 p.m.

All the proceeds will go towards Community Bridge and Better at Home.

Sean Gallagher, who has been running the light show for over 20 years, said it all started with his love for Christmas.

“I always loved Christmas more than the average guy, and even when I was a little boy, I always dreamed of having the best house around, so when I got older, I just made it happen,” Gallagher said.

He started doing a big light show while living in town, but Gallagher said he ran out of room before a house went on sale in Fish Creek.

“I remember the first time I drove in there, I thought, ‘Man, this will be a perfect spot to have a Candy Cane Lane,’” Gallagher said. “I just started from there, and it’s just built and built over the years.”

He said each year, he fixes the previous displays and adds new ones with help from a company in Edmonton.

“I’ll design something, and they’ll build it for me,” Gallagher said.

According to Gallagher, around 150,000 lights will be lit up starting Friday night until about January 15th.

Gallagher said the proceeds are going to Community Bridge because his wife had attended the 100 Women Who Care event in September, where the organization presented but didn’t receive the donation.

Better at Home, he said, supports the local seniors who want to stay home but can’t do the chores they used to do, such as yard work and cleaning.

Tickets are still on sale for the Gallagher’s Christmas Light Up Party through the Lido’s website.