Kamloops residents adjusting holiday plans, with B.C Wildlife Park’s Wildlights put on hold

“I have a newborn baby, so I don’t really need to go anywhere.” One woman told CFJC Today crews in downtown Kamloops.

Another noted how the travel restrictions impacted the holidays. “My mom and my nana were going to come up but now plans have changed. So I’m just going to stay home, and me and my boyfriend are going to have our Christmas alone together, so excited about that.”

“Planning to stay at home and not going out anywhere,” said one man, “It’s just working and celebrating with the people that are at home.”

Another said he’d been planning a multi-course Ukrainian meal for Christmas, “So I was going to invite my kids, my grandkids over. And so you know what I’m going to do instead? Order Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

“Just going to spend some time with my wife and my parents are coming over. That’s about it,” one man told CFJC, who noted he was making the best of a bad situation, “Trying to keep it (transmission) down there, and keep the masks on.”

Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

Staple events in Kamloops have also come to grips with the orders. The B.C Wildlife Park says Tuesday’s announcement has impacted the annual outdoor Wildlights.

“Unfortunately our Wildlights event will be cancelled,” says General Manager Glenn Grant.

Grant says the annual holiday display was expected to draw in more than 20,000 guests and between $250,000 – $300,000 in revenue. Even with government aid, the financial impact will be felt.

“So we’ll have to look at what our options are now for January and February because generally the money that we are earning now carries us through until mid-March and spring break when things really start to pick up and you see a lot more foot traffic.”

Drive-through events are allowed in B.C, but Grant says vehicles constantly driving through the Wildlife Park pathways for an adjusted Wildlights would be too intrusive to the animals.

“The wildlife is the first and foremost in our mind and we want to make sure that they’re cared for first. So unfortunately a drive through option is not available to us for this year.”

For now, tickets will be refunded through EventBrite, and the park will be posting a virtual lights tour video. However, Grants adds that displays will stay up in case a Wildlights 2.0 event can be held in January.

Donations can still be made online to support the park – which continues to operate for daily visits on the weekends.

by Dylana Kneeshaw

Kamloops residents adjusting holiday plans, with B.C Wildlife Park’s Wildlights put on hold

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