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Not so Bright Nights

So remember back a month or so I did a blog post on how the human body is built to forget pain? Well tonight was another perfect example of that fact…

I have been to the winter light festival put on in Hawrelak park in our river valley before and swore to myself I would never EVER go again. Well that was a number of years ago and the pain must have worn off enough that I fell into the $20 per car trap that it is again.

I will start first by mentioning that it was Lesley’s idea just to rub it in. To her credit she did have a $5 off coupon per car. Next year I will pay her $5 not to go. When I went a number of years ago I remember SMOG from the cars was a big problem. This year not so much because everyone else must still remember the pain and stayed home.

The entire thing is a sham, sure it has some nice lights but half of them are burnt out. There are some houses in Edmonton that decorate better. Then there is the fact the entire thing is a giant commercial. Almost all the lights are “sponsored” by some company if they are lucky enough that their logo isn’t burnt out or broken. There is a radio station you can tune into thinking there might be something festive like some Christmas music but all it plays is a verbal infomercial for the “sponsors”.

I didn’t bring my camera to share the splendor with you, which I am very sorry I didn’t. However I did search the web for photos by other people and found this gem of a photo that I think sums up the magic that is all the displays. Enjoy!

Edmonton Bright Nights Festival (2008) Rating: ½☆☆☆☆
Yay Elf

In case you can’t tell, some of the lights simulate movement. The elf above severs at the hip, wrenching his back to toss presents. I think I speak for all my friends when I say the highlight of the night was the flashing elf that pops out from behind tree. Something is wrong with his timer I think because he is flashing awfully fast.

5 comments to Not so Bright Nights

  • becca

    NEIL,

    You are so right!!! This was our lamest activity to date but kudos to Lesley for getting us all together before the holidays.

    WAIT are you not blogging about eating an animal or the hat doppelganger?

    d-i-s-a-p-o-i-n-t-e-d -in you and the lights,

    Love,

    Becca

    Reply to this comment

  • becca

    I’m also disappointed in my spelling :( wawa

    Reply to this comment

  • Michelle M.

    Wow, half a star I am impressed, I figured you would have had it in the negative stars (if that is even possible).

    I would spend five bucks to have fun with my friends any day so it was totally worth it in that regard. I will say the Genie was kind of cool but that was about it. It may not have been our best outing but at least it was an outing and I got to see everyone again before the holidays for Christmas Hugs (nothing better in my book).

    Keep up the posts!

    Reply to this comment

  • Lesley

    Don’t worry Neil.. I have already vowed to not put us through that torture again. Your dig is noted. lol. But it was great to see everyone before the hectic pace of the holidays took over.

    From now on the only winter activity I will keep up and organize is the Jasper in January tradition. I already can’t wait!!

    Reply to this comment

  • Ok Neil,

    I read the blog… I think I am angry at the thought of being ripped off. The chamber of commerce might not care about where that 20 dollars per car comes from, but at the end of the day, in this economy, its coming out of the wallets of struggling families. THE LEAST THEY COULD DO IS CHANGE A FRIGEN LIGHT BULB.

    Matt

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