Christmas Kick-Off Weekend A Success

Despite the lack of a parade this year due to COVID-19 regulations, area residents could still be found checking out all the other events in town to kick off the Christmas season. For kids there was ornament decorating, a free matinee at the theatre, and of course photos with Santa. For everyone else there was the Glorious Christmas Wish Sale.

The 2020 sale had to be cancelled outright, despite several efforts to adapt it to meet health regulations, but the 2021 sale has come roaring back. ArtsForward Adminstrator Yvonne Sisley estimates the crowd to have topped 600 people, which while lower than pre-COVID numbers is still a smashing success in the current climate.

The ornament decorating and photos with Santa events were organized by the recreation department from the Town of Neepawa, and anyone driving by the ArtsForward facility between 9 and 12 could see a line-up going right out the door of families waiting to take their turn with the big man himself. In other years the family-friendly events also included a cookie walk to support the diabetes association, but that was also cancelled this year as a precautionary measure as it involves home-baked and unwrapped foodstuffs.

ArtsForward is rounding out December with a few more community events, including a wine tasting and art exhibits in the Manawaka Gallery featuring the works of students from the local elementary school as well as those from the art students at Touchwood Park, the local organisation for adults with developmental disabilities.

The kick-off weekend has for years been considered by locals to be the start of the Christmas season in Neepawa. While the cancellation of this year’s Parade of Lights was a disappointment, the Chamber of Commerce is instead hosting a competition to find the best decorated storefront in town. One way or the other, Neepawa was determined to light up the town for the season.