FALL RIVER: COVID19 may have prevented the actual FRABA Christmas on the Canal tree lighting happening on the night it was scheduled and with a large crowd present, but the livestream gave many that Christmas spirit they sought.
From the lights on many of the homes in Capilano Estates and Fall River Village that gave The Laker News permission to film their displays for the pre-show, to the sounds of Dave Carroll and the Joyful Sounds Collective, it all brought a sense of joy. The appearance of Santa and the special guest for this night, Dr. Robert Strang all led to one thing– a successful event that was watched by throngs.
The Christmas spirit was evident in the livestream.
The video continues to rack up views and as of Nov. 30 stood at 5.5.k views on The Laker News Facebook. It was watched by a consistent amount of upwards of 280 people live, while on YouTube it saw around 100 on the live viewing.
A shorter version of the YouTube video is posted at the top of this story for all to enjoy.
As Louise MacDonald, the chairwoman of the tree lighting committee, said on the broadcast it would not have been possible without the support of the businesses and supporters that stepped up to the plate:
FRABA
Lively’s
Dairy Queen Fall River
CSD Security
MLA Bill Horne
Aerotec Engines
Joyful Sounds Music Studio
Fall River Tim Hortons
With new restrictions being put in place just days before the event, the committee of Louise MacDonald; Pat Healey; Jess Mitchell; Jason Crowell; and Peggy Rust went to work with Crowell, MacDonald and Healey getting on their phones as the COVID19 N.S. press briefing was happening.
They had Plan C all worked out and in their visions of what had to take place before Dr. Strang and Premier Stephen McNeil had finished answering questions from reporters.
The week of taping by Matt Dagley of Dagley Media began with video of homes with Christmas decorations and lights up for the pre-show. This happened at homes which allowed the filming in Capilano Estates and Fall River Village.
It then followed with the musical performance by Dave Carroll and the Joyful Sounds Collective on Wednesday in the bottom of the Joyful Sounds studio. Ruth the elf had the place decorated nicely for the musical performance.
Following that it was time for the Friday night tree lighting taping, although that was pretty much kept mum so people would remain away and it could go off with no issues.
While it was soggy and had rained up until a few hours before the recording began, all things went off smoothly with the recording.
Healey presented gifts to Santa and Dr. Strang with a hockey stick. There was also a surprise presented to MacDonald from Healey for her efforts and dedication to organizing the event, a Dairy Queen cake.
The winner of the iPad Mini was also drawn. The lucky recipient is Kimberly Samson.
It wasn’t all done once the recording was finished on Friday night.
Dagley took all he gathered on Friday and spliced it together with the other video footage he had gathered and put together, making for the almost one hour livestream. The since edited YouTube version is much shorter, coming in at just under 33 minutes.
From all accounts, the residents have left very positive feedback on the show and were thrilled to get to watch it, and have a bit of joy in 2020 in what has been an otherwise tough year.
“We are really happy with how everyone enjoyed the live-stream on The Laker News, and are so impressed with the work from Louise and the whole FRABA Tree Lighting committee,” said Pat Healey. “To turn around things that quickly and come out with what they did was fantastic.
“What can be said about the work of Matt Dagley. He did a lot of extra hard work and editing and a quick turnaround from Friday night to piece it all together, and resulted in a great tree lighting video for the community.”
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 9)The Laker News would like to thank Dagley Media for all their work in making this such an awesome show, as well as the following advertisers from the Livestream that made it possible to happen on The Laker News FB and Dagley Media YouTube:
Aerotec Engines
Dairy Queen Fall River
Airtight Spaces/Tate Engineering
Lively’s
MLA Bill Horne
MP Darrell Samson
Councillor Cathy Deagle Gammon
N.S. Department of Health and Wellness
Payzant’s Home Hardware Lower Sackville
Journey 2 Wellness
Here are some more photos from the Dagley Media video footage:
