Shoppers, strollers, business people and tourists visiting Cochrane's Historic Main Street now have a beautiful and unique place to stop and rest for a while thanks to the Cochrane Light Up committee and Brian Widahl of Widahl Woodcraft.

Widahl has designed and created a gorgeous, bear themed bench and gifted it to the Light Up committee who has in turn given it back to the Cochrane community.

Yesterday (September 27) the bench was installed at the gazebo on Main Street.

Over the past few years, JaymanBUILT Homes have sponsored the Light Up ice carving but last year was the first time that the ice carving, done by Kelly Davies, was combined with Widahl's wood carving.  The duo crafted a bench made out of ice and wood for people to sit on as long as the cold weather held out.

Widahl, who specializes in chainsaw scultping, had the vision for the permanent bench.  He says, "I just wanted something  that people could enjoy on Main Street and something that was good for pictures for the amount of traffic that Main Street gets."

The bear featured on the bench are popular in Widahl's world.  "I do a lot of bears, it seems to be my number one seller, which kind of suits our area.  I just wanted an interactive piece, something people could enjoy."

Co-chair of Light Up Marni Fedeyko says it was Widahl's idea for the beautiful bench.  "Brian came up with an awesome idea to add to the downtown core."

Light Up is going into it's 33rd year for 2017 and Fedeyko and co-chair Stephenie Shelstad say plans for this year's event are coming along well.  "We're going to probably see the same additions that we've seen over the past few years," explains Fedeyko,  "I think Light Up is one of those events that everybody in town always looks forward to.  It's the best part of bringing the community together."

Shelstad adds, "There's going to be lots of hot chocolate, hot dots and chips.  "We're going to be doing the fireworks again, sponsored by Global Pets.  Of course, we'll have the ice and wood carving as well.  We're just looking forward to seeing everybody and bringing in Christmas!"

This year's Light Up is set for Saturday, November 18th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.