Noel Reck is at it again.
For the third year in a row, the parks operations supervisor with the city of Coquitlam will stand on the Park Spark stage at the TD Community Plaza in Town Centre Park on Dec. 20 to lead the community in the singing of Jingle Bells at 7:30 p.m.
And it’s not just for fun and good cheer.
The municipality is hoping to draw more than 2,000 voices in an attempt to break a record via recordsetter.com, with the most people singing the holiday standard at once.
“I like to inspire the residents of Coquitlam to take part in our Lights at Lafarge display and one of the best ways to do that is through song,” said Reck, a singer, guitarist, bass player and drummer who has worked with folk musician Greg Drummond and is featured on his upcoming album.
Reck won’t be alone in the Jingle Bells feat.
Between six and eight music groups, including Choral Connections, the Coquitlam Ukulele Tiny Instrument Enthusiasts (or CUTIE) and the Vancouver Bach Choir, will be stationed around the lake to wait for Reck’s cue.
And once they hear his voice over the speakers, everyone will sing in unison.
“The sound travels pretty well across the water,” said Sara Yastremski, a member of the city’s Park Spark team. “It’s been successful in the past, with more than 500 people the last time.”
For those not familiar with tune, the Park Spark team will be handing out songbooks — published this month by The Tri-City News — before the event so participants have the lyrics at hand.
As well, guests are encouraged to dress in their brightest holidays threads and ugly Christmas sweaters — and bring bells — for the sing-along, which will be captured for recordsetter.com with an aerial photo.
Meanwhile, the city is encouraging people to take public transit to get to Lights at Lafarge, the biggest free outdoor winter lights display in the Lower Mainland. There is no event parking at the Evergreen Cultural Centre.
THE LYRICS
Dashing through the snow
On a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go,
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tail ring,
making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
A day or two ago,
I thought I'd take a ride,
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
We got into a drifted bank,
And then we got upsot.
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, What fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, What fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.
Now the ground is white
Go it while you're young
Take the girls tonight
And sing this sleighing song
Just get a bob tailed bay
two-forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! you'll take the lead
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, What fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, What fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.
