(Supplied: Second Annual GP Lockdown Lights, Facebook)

By Abby Zieverink

Virtual Festive Map

Festive houses being sought for second Grande Prairie “Lockdown Lights” map

Nov 21, 2021 | 7:00 AM

A Grande Prairie woman has kicked off the second annual Grande Prairie lockdown lights virtual map, which shows a map of festively decorated houses in the Grande Prairie area for Christmas light tours.

Last Christmas season, Susan Borthwick created a Facebook group to help families in the Swan City and surrounding communities and show who has their houses and properties decorated in the region.

“So everyone can get in their vehicle, hit the road, look at the nice lights with a little bit of a direction. At least they know the area there is a lot of pins, and they can limit themselves to their neighbourhood or maybe somewhere they haven’t been before.”

With over 450 decorated houses pinned on the map last year, Borthwick says she decided to do it again this year, in hopes of increasing the number of festive houses on the map to around 500 or 600.

“Send me your address, send me your neighbours address if they have lights up, tell your friends to join the page,” she said.

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“The bigger we get, the more pins we can have on the map, and just an awesome little tour around town for everyone to enjoy.”

Borthwick says any home decorated in the city and surrounding communities such as Sexsmith, Beaverlodge, Clairmont, Wembley, Bezanson and even further can be included on the map.

“We have one pin so far out by Dimsdale, it’s a really good light show out there, so I know it’s worth the little bit of the drive,” she added. “It’s for everyone in our little area.”

With many holiday events kicking off this holiday season, Borthwick tells EverythingGP she added something new to the lockdown lights map, to help show all the festivities rolling out in both the city and surrounding communities.

“I added an events tab onto the page that shows the dates and information for all the local events that are happening in and around Grande Prairie, anything from Christmas markets to free skating at the Dave Barr, to New Year’s stuff coming up that I’ve posted there.”

Last year, members in the Facebook group were able to vote on their favourite decorated homes on the map. Borthwick says gift baskets were given to the top three voted homes. She says the baskets are filled with donated items from local businesses.

“Whoever donates, once I’ve received the donation, I make a post on the page to let everyone on the page know this person with this company has donated, and it helps get word of mouth out for them and hopefully gets them more Christmas sales.”

Anyone looking to get their house on the map can comment on the Second Annual GP Lockdown Lights Facebook group or send a private message to Borthwick with the address and of the festive home.

“I check my messages all the time, so as soon as I’ve replied to you that means your address has been added to the map and it’ll be on the next upload.”