The Town of Canora held another successful Winter Lights Festival with events occurring from December 4 to 11.
The festival, which has been held annually in Canora, was “excellent yet again,” said Jo-Anne Sigurdson, community development officer.
“Everything was good,” she said, adding that the town was well lit up with Christmas lights.
“The community stepped up and did a wonderful job.”
The Canora Hospital Auxiliary’s 60th Annual Carol Festival kicked off the festivities on December 4, with many coming out to enjoy the music and the cake served to celebrate the Auxiliary’s anniversary.
Sleigh rides were offered on December 5 at the Canora CN Station House Museum. Lloyd Smith of Pelly offered old-fashioned wagon rides, which were certainly appealing to residents.
“The wagon was full every single ride,” Sigurdson said.
Joy Stusek, a curator of the museum who served hot chocolate and apple cider at the event, said many parents, children, and even middle-aged women and men came to the event and “just had a ball.”
“A little girl came in dancing, saying, ‘I got to pet a horse!’” Stusek said.
At the Canora Civic Centre, the Skate with Santa event on December 6 attracted children and adults alike to enjoy skating and free hot chocolate.
December 7 featured the Nursery School Bake Sale. Taunya Kondratoff, an organizer for the event, was happy with the turnout, saying that many tables had already been cleared an hour after the event began.
A youth event was also held on December 7 at the Canora Activity Centre. Youth ages 10 and up were able to come enjoy pizza, drinks and snacks while playing bingo. Each attendant got a present, with the main prizes being a computer tablet, Bluetooth speakers, and Bluetooth headphones.
The Keen Age Society held a Christmas Tea on December 8 and served tea, coffee, juice, baked goods and sandwiches to all who attended.
Excitement mounted as night fell in Canora, with the parade held December 8. The parade was excellent, according to Sigurdson, with many just showing up with decorated vehicles to partake in the excitement. Fireworks and a bonfire were held at the Canora Ag Grounds following the event, and despite the cold weather, over 400 hotdogs were sold to be enjoyed by the bonfire.
Another highly anticipated event was the cookie walk on December 9 at the United Church. All the cookies were sold minutes after the event began, leaving the women organizing the event shocked.
“This is unreal,” one said during the clean up.
The Activity Centre held a slow, relaxed event with Letters to Santa with Mrs. Claus. Mrs. Claus and an elf helped children who attended write and decorate letters to be delivered to Santa.
The Winter Lights Festival concluded with Breakfast with Santa, held at the Canora Activity Centre by the Canora Wheatland Lioness Club. The room was packed with people enjoying pancakes and sausages. After breakfast, both children and some particularly excited adults took pictures and visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who stole the show as always.
Sigurdson said the Winter Lights Festival was another success, and that the event will once again be held next year.
