Call it the Miracle on 124th Street.
After years of problems with Christmas lighting, the 124th Street Business Association has been told the city will get the lights fixed in time for the All is Bright Festival Nov. 19.
In addition to entertainment and food, All is Bright features lights on trees, across 124th Street, and in illuminated pots up and down the street through the Christmas season.
Jeff McLaren with the 124th Street Business Association, said the city has taken the steps to get started on finishing repairs to electrical outlets that still need fixing.
“That gives us power for the festival,” McLaren said.
Last week, council’s executive committee heard that city crews were not going to be able to fix the outlets in time for the festival.
That would leave six blocks without reliable electricity to light up the trees.
“I think anytime something of this type of service takes that long, it’s frustrating for everybody,” Gord Cebryk, branch manager of parks and roads services with the city, told CBC News.
Cebryk said the city now has a program in place to do to this kind of repair more efficiently.
The festival is a bright spot for an area that’s been beleaguered by road closures and delays with the construction of the 102nd Avenue bridge.
Tasha Weenk is the owner of Acquired Taste Tea on 124th Street.
She’s a big fan of the All is Bright Festival.
“It’s always wonderful to get more people out to 124th Street,” Weenk said.
“I think any little boost to this community is great.”