The City of Rossland is getting ready to rekindle the Winterlights celebration this year with two timely festive events celebrating the snowy season on Dec. 5.

Rossland has thrown their touque into the ring for the annual Winterlights competition that will be judged on the same day coinciding with the Rekindle The Spirit Christmas event.

Winterlights is the winter program of Communities in Bloom, encouraging communities to showcase their ‘winter activities, festive celebrations, goodwill and visual decorations’ that get the buzz around Canadian cities as winter destinations.

“This is a residential contest, too, not just businesses. We’re encouraging lights but also winter scenes and anything that celebrates the spirit of winter,” said Deanne Steven, executive director of Tourism Rossland.

“Our Winterlights around town are also LED energy-efficient bulbs promoting the festivities sustainably.”

Rossland earned five stars last year and is hoping to build on their status making the city a destination.

The Rekindle The Spirit event will happen as the judges role into town Dec. 5. Bring the whole family to downtown Rossland for the 16th annual celebration.

Old-time favourites such as roasted chestnuts, carolers, historic dress and story time will bring the heat in the dead of winter.

Sleigh rides, vendors, specials at businesses around town and the always-a-hit reindeer prance parade with a few special guests from the North Pole will come down main street.

“It will be a great chance to welcome Santa, Christmas and winter to town,” said Liz Arsenault, from the Jelly Bean Junction who is organizing the event.

“There will be events all over downtown, prizes, hot chocolate, apple cider. It will be very festive.”

The Jelly Bean Junction will be holding photos with Santa, there colouring contest, a place to warm up and a few tasty treats.

The Red Mountain racers will be selling Christmas trees and the official tree lighting will take place at 4:30 in the Town Square beside Ferraro’s Foods.

Along with many other events around town, Dec. 5 will be a day jammed with good times and a taste of what life was like during the holidays in the old town.