Despite an economic downturn and COVID-19 restrictions, the Airdrie Festival of Lights still had a successful event last year.

The Festival of Lights Society presented its annual report to City Council earlier this week, providing details on the 2020 event and a vision for the coming years.

The festival estimated around 50,000 people attended the lights last December, with around $54,000 in donations along with funds from their sponsors.

Michelle Pirzek, Coordinator with the Festival of Lights Society, said they were put in a tough bind last spring when the pandemic derailed plans for a normal festival.

The group came up with several alternatives including running with restrictions, going to lights only or possibly cancelling the event.

Thankfully, the festival went ahead with restrictions and some expenses not budgeted for.

"We estimate that we spent about $10,000 on COVID related items. Plexi-glass for our trains, the sanitizing, the PPE, putting in place all the documents, signage with the park. An expense that we hadn't budgeted for but we felt that if we could put on a light show, we should put on a light show."

nity Attraction by the Alberta Chamber of Commerce. The winner will be announced during a virtual ceremony on Friday night.

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