By John McLoone

Stop and say hi to Santa Claus, listen to Christmas carols and enjoy the beautiful light display in the first Regina Foundation Tree of Lights Spectacular.

Trees in front of Regina Hospital are lit up for 36 nights through the holiday season, and organizers are hoping the display gets bigger and better each year.

For a donation of $10 or more to the foundation, colored bulbs are illuminated in honor or memory of someone special. The Hastings business community stepped up in a big way to help sponsor the event, with signs recognizing them throughout the drive-thru light viewing.

Lights go on at 4:30 p.m., and there’s music and Santa on selected nights. The Hastings Rotary singers were on hand last Thursday night. There were just three of them, but the right three were on hand, because their sound provided the perfect backdrop to the light experience. They’ll be back Friday night at 7 p.m.

The Prescott brass entertains Sunday, and the Hastings High School A Cappella Choir is set for Tuesday night.

The bulb purchase helps the foundation support and promote Regina Hospital and Benedictine Senior Living, said Foundation Development Officer Annette Walker.

The project will become annual.

“It’s turned out really nice. We’re hoping to build on it every year and get more and more lights,” said Walker.