After a one-year hiatus, the Transit Twinkle Tours have returned to Whitecourt.
On the nights of Dec. 11, 12, 18, and 19, the Town of Whitecourt’s busses will take residents on a special route throughout the town to see the houses and businesses decorated in Christmas lights. There are three tours each night, starting at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30, and departing from the Allan and Jean Millar Centre.
Donna Gerber, the Town of Whitecourt’s transit coordinator, says that when they first did this in 2019, as it was so popular, they had to bring in an extra bus.
“In 2019, we only had one night, and we had two busses we were going to fill, plus we did a seniors’ tour, and we were so successful, that we booked out, and had 80 on a waiting list,” says Gerber.
The popularity in 2019 was what led the Town to expand it to four nights this year.
The Town was getting ready to host the Twinkle Tours again in 2020, but a last-minute change in COVID-19 restrictions meant the Town had to cancel it. Instead, the Twinkle Tours were replaced with a self-guided tour. The self-guided tour is available again this year, for those who would like to do it from the comfort of their own vehicle.
Something new for the Twinkle Tour this year is the addition of a scavenger hunt.
Emma Harper, the Town of Whitecourt’s recreation coordinator, says you can win prizes by keeping your eyes open for specific Christmas decorations.
“When we went out to figure out the route, we looked at some fun decorations that people had that were along the route, and we made a scavenger hunt out of those decorations,” explains Harper.
At the start of the Twinkle Tour, you will be given a checklist of all the decorations to find. At the end of the tour, you can drop off your completed checklist at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre.
You do need to pre-register for the tours. To pre-register, call the Allan and Jean Millar Centre at 780-778-3637. If the busses are already full, you will be placed on a waiting list. If you cannot make it out, Gerber asks that you please call the Millar Centre and let them know so your spot can be given to someone on the waiting list.
For those wishing to do the self-guided tour, you will be able to download the route from the Town of Whitecourt’s Facebook page. You will still be able to participate in the scavenger hunt, too. Download the checklist from the Town of Whitecourt’s Facebook page, and drop it off at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre by Dec. 24.
Gerber also wants to extend her thanks to the residents of Whitecourt, for working so hard on decorating their homes.
“The Twinkle Tour would not be possible if it was not for the residents of Whitecourt putting all the hard work and pride into their light show for all of us to be able to enjoy,” says Gerber
