Friends Nadia Apocalypse and Caitlin Richardson from Walnut Grove and their children were among the hundreds who filled the front lawn of the historic community hall in Fort Langley for the annual Christmas tree lighting on Saturday, Nov. 30.
"I think this is my fourth time here," Apocalypse told the Langley Advance Times.
"It became a family tradition for us to come here every year [to see the tree] would light up and the kids singing, Santa arriving by a boat."
Richardson said it was the second second year she's brought her kids.
"It's close, it's free, it's family-oriented," Richardson remarked.
"I like that you don't have to go far and it's right in our backyard."
She recalled attending the tree lighting as a child.
"I grew up in Langley and have been coming to Fort Langley for a long time," Richardson remarked. "I actually took ballet here when I was five."
Christmas came to Fort Langley Saturday with the traditional tree lighting at the heritage community hall, which is now celebrating its 100th anniversary pic.twitter.com/nZHHOh1ZRQ
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) December 1, 2024
Santa arrived by water for the annual Christmas tree lighting with a flotilla of canoes from the Fort Langley Canoe Club in Bedford Channel.
There was Christmas music by the Langley Community Music School’s Children’s Choir.
Fort Langley Community Improvement Society marked its 100 year anniversary with the event.
After the tree lighting, visitors could go inside for a 100 year celebratory cake and have a look at the images of the hall in its early days, including a picture of the group of women who formed the society 100 years ago on Dec. 9th, 1924 and a year later, bought the property from the municipality for the back taxes.
