Candy Cane Lane poised to light up for another season

For over 40 years, Edmonton residents alongCandy Cane Lane have been showing off their festive spirit by decorating their homes with dazzling displays of Christmaslights and decorations.

Visitors come from all overto enjoy the lights and tidings of joy in the west Edmonton neighbourhoods that transform into Candy Cane Lane this time of year.

The Edmonton Food Bank also benefits, as Candy Cane Lanevisitors are asked to drop off food donations.

This year marks a milestone for donations.Sincevolunteersstarted collecting donations more than 20years ago, more thanone million pounds of food have been dropped into foodbins placed outside Candy Cane Lanehomes.

"We're always excited to see people come down the street and drop off food," said residentKeesden Hartigh."In front of my house I have four food bins and some nights they just fill right up and are overflowing, it's fantastic."

den Hartigh has lived in the Candy Cane Lanearea since 1991. When he first moved into the neighbourhood, he wasshocked aboutthe amount of wattage needed to power the multiple strings of lightsto get in on the holiday cheer.

"Soon after we moved in, we realized we had to do something, so I bought incandescent lightsand put them up," he said.

But he soonrealized that hispower bills were "going through the roof because I kept on buying more strings," he recalled.

"And I actually overdid my power panel and it was just humming over Christmas," he told CBC's Edmonton AM radio show hostMark Connolly.

But den Hartigh switched to LED lights in 2001, and said he's seen a 90-per-centreduction in power costs since then.

For him, the cost isworth it. The neighbourhood has been basking in the holiday glow since the 1960s, starting with a few decorated housesand growingto over 10blocks spanning the Crestwood and Parkview neighbourhoods.

Candy Cane Lane kicks off Friday night on 148th Street between 100th Avenue and 92nd Avenue.

The full experience includes lights, sleigh rides and even a live donkey in amanger. Whiledonations to the food bank are encouraged, the event is free.