Magic of Lights wraps up most successful season in Edmonton since COVID-19 years

Saturday marked the final night for Canadian Tire's Magic of Lights Tunnel at Rad Torque Raceway.

Saturday marks the last day for the Canadian Tire Magic of Lights tunnel at the Rad Torque Raceway in Edmonton.

Rob Vavrek, the raceway’s marketing manager, said this season has been the show’s most successful run since the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, “when there was absolutely nothing to do.”

“With challenges, obviously, freezing rain doesn’t bode well with lights and electrical … but I am happy to report that despite all of that, a very successful season, and we’re really thrilled with our attendance,” he said in an interview Saturday.

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After Saturday night’s final run, Vavrek estimates around 21,000 cars will have gone through the three-kilometre-long tunnel of vibrant light displays.

A portion of the proceeds from each ticket also went toward Santa’s Anonymous, Canadian Tire Jump Start and STARS Air Ambulance. Vavrek said that number’s being finalized at around $25,000 in donations.

“We also have thousands of pounds of food we haven’t tallied up yet for (Edmonton’s Food Bank),” he said. “So once again, the support from the community and the donations and the generosity has been overwhelming.”

Creating the Rad Torque Raceway winter wonderland was a “labour of love,” and Vavrek said staff have been “troopers.”

“As far as takedown goes, well, that’s going to be another story,” he added. “We’re going to have to wait until some snow dissipates. Some of this stuff is going to stay until spring thaw, but we will start slowly pecking away at it after the holidays.”

Race season begins in May and ends in September, after which staff will begin winterizing the track all over again – meaning the raceway is able to keep most of its members employed through the winter.

Magic of Lights officially closes at 10 p.m. on Saturday.