JARVIS—The rains poured down, but the large crowd assembled in Jarvis on the evening of Saturday, November 15 didn’t let the less-than-ideal weather take away from the fun and excitement of kicking off this year’s Jarvis Light Up.
The event, which sees over 500 houses and businesses in the area participate in a massive light up tour, was the catalyst behind Jarvis being named Canada’s Kindest Community by Coca Cola in Canada earlier this year. In addition to taking part in the kick-off event and a huge celebration planned for December 13, Coca Cola awarded the town $50,000 in prize money.
JARVIS—Three of the four main organizers of the event, head elves Lisa Nigh, Howie Nigh, and Ernie Bigelow. 
JARVIS—Besties Bryce Beckham (left) and Liam Lahie were all smiles after visiting with Santa Claus. 
JARVIS—Parents Andrew and Kirsten Lijalehta pose with Santa Claus and their son Liam in front of the Coca Cola Holiday Caravan. 
JARVIS—Eighteen-month-old Flora Spearin (centre) is pictured with her parents, Andrew Spearin (left) and Iona Spearin (right). —Haldimand Press photo by Sheila Phibbs. 
JARVIS—Pictured in front of the Jarvis Light Up Evolution sign are the Stepus family, including (l-r) Diana, Emma, Milena, Luke, Joy, and Daniel. 
JARVIS—The North Shore Highlanders Pipe Band from Port Dover added to the celebration during the Jarvis Light Up Evolution kick off on November 15th. —Haldimand Press photo by Sheila Phibbs. 
JARVIS—Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley, MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, and Ward 1 Councillor Debera McKeen enjoy the festivities.
—Haldimand Press photos by Mike Renzella and Sheila Phibbs.
Haldimand County Volunteer of the Year Doug McBride took the stage on Saturday evening to unveil the plan for those funds, which have been deposited into a community fund being managed by the Norfolk Community Foundation (NCF).
Pending Council approval, that $50,000 will serve as the inaugural donation towards a brand-new gathering place and splash pad at Jarvis Lions Park, to be placed where the current lawn bowling building is.
“This is not just for Jarvis and area, it’s for all those who choose to visit the kindest community in Canada,” said McBride to the cheering crowd.
NCF Executive Director Joshua Parsons praised the team behind Jarvis Light Up.
“We at the community foundation believe genuinely in what Jarvis is doing here. They’re building community-oriented festivals, spaces, and places where families and children can be together; spaces where life can simply happen.”
He called the idea for the new facilities the “kind of investment that strengthens our entire region. The $50,000 from Coca Cola Canada is just the spark. The real power comes from what the community decides to do with it next.”
While it takes a village to power Jarvis Light Up, its the four head elves, Lisa and Howie Nigh and Ernie and Cathy Bigelow, who drive the effort.
Lisa spoke with The Press, noting that the idea for the new facilities, which will also include space for a new farmers’ market at the entrance to Lion’s Park, came about following discussions with both the Lion’s Club and Board of Trade.
She made sure to note that fundraising efforts for the project won’t begin until it is approved by Haldimand Council, noting that the current plan is to formally present the idea as soon as early February.
“We got a lot of positive feedback from the Lions, the Board of Trade, even the County,” Lisa said about the plan, noting the building will be multi-purpose, with space to accommodate rentals, parties, and meetings, along with a booth for local teams or organizations to utilize. She also mentioned how the splash pad would be designed to be accessible and inclusive to both young and old, including those using accessibility devices like a wheelchair.
“These are big dreams, but we’re big dreamers,” said Lisa.
In fact, that’s the whole philosophy behind the new proposed facility and Jarvis Light Up as a whole.
“We want people to thrive, give, and be real community members. I think that’s why people love Light Up. They feel part of something bigger than themselves,” said Lisa.
Planning Light Up is a year-long endeavour for the four head elves, with support from many great local businesses.
“The four of us, we start in January, and we don’t sleep again until the next January,” said Lisa. “We spend a lot of time together. Each of us bring different benefits to the group. We work really, really well together.”
In the end, that work is more than worth it for the foursome, and all involved, with Lisa noting that even without the full decorations out, there have been “tons of people” driving through already to see the sights.
“They come from everywhere,” she said of Light Up’s growing legion of fans. “It’s a crazy amount of people. We try our best to give them an experience they won’t forget.”
Asked why she thinks it’s worked out so well, Lisa said, “People feel our hearts. It’s all about community. People feel plugged in to that. They need it.”
The other major driving factor behind the yearly event’s success – and Coca Cola’s ‘Kindest Community’ moniker – is the fact that Jarvis Light Up is a totally free event.
That includes the upcoming Jarvis Rumble 4.0, happening on December 13. Attendees can expect free food and drinks, midway rides, bouncy inflatables, chances to win a free ham or turkey dinner, VIP passes awarded to guests who show up in their flashiest Christmas attire, a chance to win a $1,000 Great Wolf Lodge gift certificate, and a spectacular fireworks show. The fun kicks off at 2 p.m., with fireworks expected around 7:30 p.m.
Those who take part by adding their homes to the Light Up Tour can also win some big prizes, with a golden ticket awarded to one house in each zone and major prizes totalling $10,000 available.
General Manager of Coca Cola Canada Andy Buckingham and President of Coca Cola Canada Bottling Tony Chow were both present at the kick-off event.
“Kindness is absolutely contagious…. It has the power to transform communities,” said Chow. “Jarvis, you guys have proven this in spades.”
Buckingham added, “You have set an amazing foundation of kindness that is contagious and will spread. The world needs more kindness.”
For more information about this year’s Light Up, including how you can sign up as a home, get tickets for the Jolly Trolley (which offers three tours a night on select nights throughout December), and more, visit jarvislightup.ca, or find them on Facebook.
