LOOK AT LANE’S LEGACY
When Ted Gardiner and Kate Jenvey moved into their Crestwood home in 1989, they were unaware a wave of holiday spirit was about to change their lives on Candy Cane Lane. Now, 30 years later, Gardiner reflects on the event on its 50th anniversary.
When Ted Gardiner and Kate Jenvey moved into their Crestwood home in 1989, they were unaware a wave of holiday spirit was about to change their lives.
The couple moved from Vancouver to a house located where 148 and 147 Streets meet at 98 Avenue, not knowing anything about Candy Cane Lane.
“When it started the season of 1989, we had two strings of lights on,” Gardiner said Sunday. “It wasn’t until we heard rumbling out front and saw wall-to-wall cars that all of a sudden we were clued into what the street was about.”
The quiet residential neighbourhood between 92 Avenue and 100 Avenue becomes a colourful sight to behold over the holiday season and has turned into a traditional event for many families in the city. This year, the collection of displays is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Learning from their rookie season, Gardiner said he and Jenvey were determined to be prepared the next year. He got in touch with a local business to create a light display and a “Welcome to Candy Cane Lane” sign that is still in use.
With two large trees on his property, Gardiner strung up 2,250 lights that prompted some compromises from inside the home so the power didn’t blow a breaker.
“When the lights were on, we couldn’t cook or turn on the oven,” said Gardiner, adding that Jenvey didn’t mind because it meant they would go out to dinner at a restaurant.
The couple hasn’t looked back on their annual involvement with the tradition since going all out year after year to ensure the best experience possible for Edmontonians.
“It’s all part of being involved in the community and helping the Edmonton Food Bank,” he said. About 25,000 kilograms of food are donated by visitors every year.
Over the 30 years they’ve participated, the duo’s displays have changed quite a bit. There is no longer the same need to turn off all the power in the house, thanks in part to advanced lighting.
A few years ago Gardiner made a trip to Home Depot with the idea of making classic holiday displays — returning with a sleigh, all nine reindeer, huskies and a musher.
But now at 71 years of age, the lane’s 50th anniversary might be the last for Gardiner.
“We’re downsizing and it’s probably our last year here, which is unfortunate,” he said.
This year, six younger families in the area helped them complete the setup in a couple of hours, when it would normally take them a couple of weekends, Gardiner said.
Many grateful families and local dignitaries have visited the famous holiday home over the years, but Gardiner said his most memorable was a surprise knock on his door by Santa Claus and a little girl who was visiting the displays from the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Running until Jan. 1, the annual event has been recognized as an official civic event by the city to commemorate 50 years and was gifted with “Candy Cane Lane” road signs to recognize the bright holiday tradition.