The holiday season kicks off in Aldergrove this Sunday with the annual treelighting festivities. 

For a third consecutive year, the Aldergrove Christmas Committee organizes the Tree of Lights ceremony led by Alyssa Nielsen, on Sunday, Nov. 24, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the plaza (272 Street and Fraser Highway). 

Featuring a visit by the Grinch and favourite Whoville characters, Nielsen said the event will be "quite a Whobilation!"

"Families can visit the Whoville tent for selfies and warm cookies," she said. 

JD Turkey Farms is providing turkey dogs and juice, and the local Fresco is ensuring hands are warm with hot chocolate. 

Activities such as colouring pages, letters to Santa, and the North Pole mailbox will be on site organized by Gulf & Fraser, the Aldergrove Business Association, and the Aldergrove Community Association. 

Families are also invited to bring a Christmas ornament to hang on the tree fence. Ornaments will also be provided. 

Nielsen said Mrs. Claus will also be in attendance to lead Christmas carols, perform a reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and to officially light the Aldergrove Tree of Lights. 

"We are so grateful for the support of the Township of 91Ô­´´ and over 20 businesses – even a few outside of the community," she commented. 

Attendance is anticipated to be similar or more than last year's, which Nielsen said was "nothing short of magical."  

"We had more than double the attendance from the first year, and people compared the experience to a Hallmark movie, which was super lovely to hear," she told The Star. 

The Aldergrove Food Bank will be on site collecting donations, and those who can are encouraged to bring something for those in need. 

The treelighting is the first of three Christmas-themed activities presented by the Aldergrove Christmas Committee, in partnership with the Aldergrove Business Association, Aldergrove Community Association, and Aldergrove Agricultural Fair and Festival Association.

On Dec. 14, there will be a community Christmas party followed by the Aldergrove Light Up Christmas Parade, which has been taking place downtown for approximately 30 years.

Volunteers are also still needed for the Christmas parade on Dec. 14. People interested can email volunteersaldergrove@gmail.com.