After a two-year hiatus, Cochranites were once again able to return to an in-person Light Up.

Thousands of people lined the historic downtown to enjoy hot dogs, hot chocolate, entertainment, Christmas music and festive lights.

The weather was perfect for the annual event that welcomes Christmas to our town each year. 

Light Up chair Stephenie Shelstad said the event couldn't have gone any better. 

"For me it was probably the most perfect Light Up I have ever done. Everybody was so organized and helpful, everything went off without a hitch." 

"I couldn't be happier ending my ten-year reign."

"I think just having everybody back together and having that magical feeling in the street has always been the best part of Light Up." said Shelstad. 

Santa

She said there's been a lot of changes since she got involved with Light Up a decade ago. 

"When we took it over 10 years ago, the previous year had ordered 2000 hot dogs, we had 10 firepits and 10 tables. And to grow it, to we had 20 this year with 12,000 hot dogs and just the mass amount of people that are down there, it has just evolved into an absolute beautiful monster of an event but it's definitely a Hallmark event in Cochrane to bring Christmas to the town."

Shelstad said it takes a village to put on this event every year and it wouldn't be able to go ahead without the help from the volunteers and the sponsors.