Eleven years of Candy Cane Lane

• Collection of houses decorated for the holidays
• Walking tour that is fun for the whole family

Nestled in the suburbs of Rutland is a community of like minded Christmas decoration enthusiasts, who put on a festive walking tour every year starting Dec. 1.

The tour, known as The Candy Cane Lane, is a collection of approximately 70 houses that have gone above and beyond with holiday cheer and bountiful lighting.

“This is just free entertainment,” long time participant John Sharhon told Kelowna10. “We don't do this for money. We get no money back. We don't earn anything. It’s all for the self satisfaction of seeing the people come up.”

The walking tour takes observers down Collison Road, Gramiak Road, as well as Mary Court, forming a candy cane shape in the process.

But the decorating doesn’t stop there. Sharhon said it has gotten to the point where homeowners on the side streets are putting up lights as well.

“By all means take a stroll over there, they’re well worth it. These people put a lot of time and money into their displays and they do it for the same reason all of us do it here,” Sharhon added.

Decorating is no easy task. And even with a fleet of volunteers, Sharhon said his display takes at least a month.

“Once the Halloween stuff is down, the decorations start,” Sharhon said.

The Candy Cane Lane collects non-perishables each year for local organizations in Kelowna.

“We do raise a ton of food for some good causes,” Sharhon said.

He added they have special hampers for people in need, many who are special people they have met over the years.

“I don’t think you can get a better payback than that,” Sharhon said.

One thing he wants people to be aware of -- if you’re coming in mid-December, be patient.

“It is busy. The best way to see up here is to walk it, bring your hot chocolate,” he said. “Come for a walk, bring the kids. Parking will be at a premium because it does get busy.”