Kerrobert Festival of Trees and Christmas Dine and Dance
Submitted by Veronica Smith
The Kerrobert Courthouse Restoration Society members had two successful events happen last week to kick off the holiday season! The first which was our Festival of Trees opening event was held on December 7th. We had well over 100 people attend this year.
Santa made an appearance and handed out treat bags that were donated by Bick’s Drugs. The Library provided “Take and Make” kits for the children! There were 21 trees including the memory tree which you can put a loved one’s name on and donate to the cemetery and the Secret Santa for Seniors tree which allows you to choose a senior’s tag and purchase a small gift for them to make their holiday season extra special. These gifts are then delivered to them by the organizers. There are still some tags on the senior’s tree so please consider taking one when you come to visit the courthouse.
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The courtyard lights were turned on in time for the Festival’s 5:30 opening. The lights in the courtyard were put up by members of the Courthouse Restoration Society with help from the Kerrobert Chamber of Commerce. Big thanks to Brad Murphy for providing his man lift and to Grant Smith for running it for us. We were able to decorate three more of the bigger trees with lights this year in addition to the two done in prior years. Thanks also to Rick McNichol for donating new white battery lights for our trees trunks along Manitoba Avenue!
Inside the courthouse, along with the decorated trees, we were very thankful to Jessica Mitchell for setting up her extensive collection of Christmas Villages throughout the art gallery, which was a beautiful addition to the festival this year. Thank you to all the businesses and groups who participated in decorating the trees to make this evening so special and thanks to Kerrobert Prairie Branches for helping us carry all the trees up from the basement and set them up in order for the decorating to happen! Thank you to Kristyn Boyle who was kind enough to play the piano for our carolling this year and also thanks to Marilyn Henning who baked and served delicious cookies as well as hot chocolate! A big thank you also goes out to the museum committee for decorating all the museum rooms for the holidays as well as providing tours of the museum the night of the Festival of Trees!
Unfortunately the horse drawn wagon rides had to be cancelled due to icy conditions but all in all, the opening night went very well. The trees and Christmas Villages will stay on display in the courtroom gallery for the month of December and anyone wishing to still get their votes in for their favourite tree can do so until December 20th! The courtroom gallery’s photography exhibit which features many very talented local photographers is currently on display so visitors are able to view this exhibit as well as the trees and villages. Anyone can go and see the trees and the photography exhibit at no charge during business hours, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday.
The Christmas Party Dine and Dance on December 8th was attended by approximately 130 people. Our local Vintage Market provided a scrumptious catered meal of turkey, ham and all the fixings along with lovely desserts. The Grades 5 & 6 classes and their parents helped us out by coming to clear tables after the meal which we were very thankful for. We were then entertained by a band called Slow Walkin’ Walter who kept the crowd dancing with their great music and vocals. The Kerrobert Chamber of Commerce provided a beautiful basket of goodies to go towards our fundraiser and there was a door prize made up of items from local businesses that were purchased by the committee as well as two items that were donated by the Vintage Market and Hallmade Creations.
The attendance was down a bit from last year’s party but the ones that were there seemed have enjoyed themselves! A big thank you goes out to our designated driver, Celeste Kissick for getting everyone home safe and sound!
All the funds for both the Festival of Trees and the Christmas Party go towards ongoing restoration of the Kerrobert Courthouse building. The Courthouse Restoration Society sincerely thanks anyone who came out and supported our two events and we wish everyone a wonderful holiday season.