FILE PHOTO - The lights at night at 607 Pine St. in 2016.

(BRENDAN KERGIN / iNFOnews.ca)

A Kamloops Christmas house is returning again for roughly the 45th season but the display will be toned down due to some difficulties the owner experienced with decorations.

Every year, Louise Edwards decorates her home at 607 Pine St. but hasn’t been able to find her supplies after pipes burst in her basement following last winter and a restoration company was called. Her Christmas decorations were either lost or stolen, she said.

Some of her decorations were also ruined in the flood but she will have a candy cane Christmas tree up on the front porch by Friday, Dec. 3.

READ MORE: Kamloops Christmas House saved by neighbours and friends

“It’s not going to be as elaborate as I normally do, that’s for sure,” Edwards said. “I’m demoralized but it’s going to be something or another.”

She keeps doing it because it’s become a tradition and the neighbours are pushing her to set things up.

Every year, her large Christmas tree is decorated with candy canes for the neighbourhood children, she said, but that tree is now missing. The tree, lights and decorations are a popular holiday staple in the neighbourhood.

“My favourite decorations are just not there and life is just different,” she said, adding her husband has also died.

Her neighbours bought her a new tree.

FILE PHOTO - Bernie Crawford (left) helped Louise Edwards (right) with her epic christmas decorations in 2016 at 607 Pine St. The candy cane tree can be seen between the two.

(BRENDAN KERGIN / iNFOnews.ca)

“The front porch is not like it used to be because of all the commotion,” she said.

Five years ago, neighbours rallied to support her and her Christmas decorating endeavours and have been helping her out ever since.

Edwards will continue the Christmas tradition for as long as she can.

In Kelowna, the annual Candy Cane Lane is set to begin Dec. 1.

Neighbourhood spokesperson John Sharlon said roughly 80 homes will be participating from Collison Road, Gramiak Road and Mary Court this year.

He thinks with COVID-19 and more people staying home, more money is being spent on Christmas decorations as some homes have gone "bizarro" and added tons of extra decorations this year.

"It'll probably be a little brighter from space," he said.

Every year the homeowners collect thousands of pounds of goods for non-profits while locals can explore the creative decorations around the neighbourhood in a route shaped like a candy cane.

Donations are being collected for the Kelowna Women's Shelter and John Howard Society.

"Last year we had them stocked for the whole year after Christmas," he said.

The Grenfell Road Christmas parade will be coming through the lane Dec. 10.

FILE PHOTO - Candy Cane Lane in Rutland in 2020.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

Kelowna's Tree of Light has also kicked off for its 24th season.

Funds donated throughout the tree's campaign will go towards the Tree of Hope’s Stober Foundation supporting children in need.

FILE PHOTO - The Tree of Hope in Kelowna's Landmark District.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

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