Countdown to Christmas 2014 a huge success

#1 Float: C&D Floral's Nicki Schoening (far right) with family and friendly/Grinchy staff

Toni Lucas

photography and videography by T. Lucas, C. Davis, and R. Manalac-Diwa

On November 21 the town of Pincher Creek welcomed Santa Claus to town. Hosted once again by the Pincher Creek and District Chamber of Commerce, the annual pre-Christmas shopping season kick-off was somewhat re-branded this year. Formerly called 'The Parade of Lights, and 'Moonlight Madness', this year it was 'The Parade of Lights and Countdown to Christmas'.

Attendance was way up, the number of events was way up, the number of floats was way up, and the event ran much longer than in recent memory, that possibly due to favourably warm weather for an event that has the outdoor Parade of Lights at its heart.

There was a free showing of 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' at the Fox Theatre, free swimming at the pool, and a parking-lot-full crafters market during the day leading up to the evening events.

As early as 2:00 pm floats started to arrive in the Ranchland Mall parking lot. Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump arrived earliest and assembled their float on-site, ready to talk to anyone who was curious.

Boston LeJan

The Memorial Community Centre Arena is celebrating 50 years this year.  Last season they got a much needed new Zamboni at the rink.  Town staff cleaned up and decorated the old Zamboni, that is currently mothballed, and dressed as brightly lit hockey players, handing out souvenir pucks to people along the route. Since Tim Hortons was right next to the parade staging grounds, they did a Timmies run with Michael Whittington at the wheel (click here for more), effectively becoming a mini-event of their own.  Turns out a Zamboni gets through the drive through as fast as anyone else, and in this town that's plenty fast.  Successful experiment.

 Tessa Roy, Austin Parker, Brenden Lissel, Tiegan Lissel, and Daria won hats and cups at the Ranchland Mall

Others started to join in and queue up. Many were organizations, such as the Pincher Creek Skating Club, regional 4H Clubs, Mustangs and Football. Some were businesses, Mrs. P's, Pincher Creek Co-op Association, and Antonio's Pizza (celebrating their 20th year) to name a few. Dignitaries included the Mayor of Pincher Creek Don Anderberg and Macleod MP John Barlow, who stayed to play some street hockey after the parade (click here for that story). Chamber of Commerce Administrator Lieve Parisis said after that there were 24 entries in the Parade of Lights. "They were really highly decorated. People put a lot of care into the floats this year. I think it was much better than last year."

Halton's Hawk

Chamber President Sharon Roberts admitted that the parade started five minutes late. "The judges are having a really hard time deciding, there are so many great floats," she said, as she and and her crew organized the queue.  Roberts was seen everywhere, including several places at the same time as the evening unfolding, fixing minor emergencies and making sure the whole town was having a good time.

The winner for Best Float was C & D Floral for  'The Grinch that Stole Christmas' theme.   "We took suggestions from the kids," said C&D owner Nicki Schoening,  who was very happy to win. "It was a lot of effort, and it was nice that it was valued."

A regional 4-H psychic phenomena moment

Hal Jorgensen halfway through Mo-vember

The parade progressed from the Ranchland Mall, down Hewetson, and then along a packed Main Street. Floats had the option of going up to Crestview Lodge as part of their route as well.

Paige, Mayz, and Jasmine on the Pincher Creek Skating Club float

The last float was a Pincher Creek Emergency Services fire truck carrying Santa to the people. As 'Jolly Old St. Nick' waved to the crowd and the parade dispersed, people began to chose from a variety of diversions. There were several places to check out and find things of interest to your own personal tastes,  from a selection of Main Street activities, crafters markets, the Lebel Mansion, and the Ranchland Mall.  Lots of activity in the shops.

Friends in Sync

Art Critic Ray Degan
Rona Manalac-Diwa photo

There was live music in various locations, and Friends in Sync travelled from site to site on Main Street, caroling along the way. Adam Schoening played to passers-by in the mall, creating his own crowd of happily entertained kids, and the Chamber sponsored the Lethbridge Steel Drum band to participate in the parade and perform afterward at the Lebel Mansion, where Santa Claus was ready to listen to children and their wishes and parents perused the arts and crafts market, the gift shop, and artwork featured in the art gallery.

Lebel mansion
Rona Manalac-Diwa photo

A rousing round of pick up street hockey was held on Police Avenue, with the puck dropped by Macleod Member of Parliament John Barlow. He showed that he was game by grabbing a stick, and joining a team for a period.  Click here for that story.

Connor has a thoughtful moment at the Ranchland Mall

The Ranchland Mall was relatively empty during the parade, but soon after a huge crowd started to assemble, perusing the shops, vendors, beverage tasting, events and activities.

At Parent Link, Ranchland Mall

A quiet oasis for the kids at the mall was Parent Link, which held a child and parent play session. Parents were invited to bring their kids and play with them, and to meet other parents in the area as their kids got to visit and play with each other.

oops

The Ranchland Mall held two separate balloon drops, one for children and one for adults. The lucky winner of the big prize of a snowblower was 18 year old Cheryssa Wolf Tail. She was quite happy with the win. "This will save me a lot of shoveling," she said as she posed with her daughter Shannese, and Pincher Creek Co-op General Manager David Crowell. Crowell said "There was a fantastic turnout for both balloon drops. Thank you to all the mall tenants that donated so many wonderful prizes."

Zachary at Parent Link

Events wound down as the evening progressed, fires went out, and tired children and adults went home having enjoyed excitement and thrills of the evening.  Soon enough it will be Christmas.