Shiny lights, ringing bells and a socially distanced Santa - new holiday plans are afoot in Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach.
Recreation boards are at work coming up with new holiday programs. Instead of some traditional fare, like the annual Santa Claus parade (which was cancelled earlier this year due to public gathering restrictions), new events and plans are on the way.
The recreation board held a Christmas lights contest earlier this month.
“We've invited people to phone in with their addresses, to nominate other people. We're going to go out and judge the three communities announce some winners,” said Creighton recreation director Channa Senyk.
“We’re going to put all the addresses together on a map so that people can go out over the Christmas season and view the winners.”
In the lead-up to Christmas, Ol’ Saint Nick himself will be making appearance, doing virtual appearances online, along with Mrs. Claus herself doing a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas" on social media. In Creighton, Santa will stop by Dec. 19 and will go around the community with the Creighton Volunteer Fire Department on the department’s newest truck. Because of COVID-19 and related restrictions, Santa Claus won’t be able to visit kids or families yet, nor will he be able to stop for photos or presents, but rest assured - come Christmas Eve, Santa and his reindeer will be good to go on the big night.
Another recreation initiative is the Christmas Eve bells campaign. The rec department will provide bells to Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach residents Dec. 16-17 during office hours at the rec office - those bells will be rung out on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. for two minutes to help Santa Clause find his way up north. The bells will come with a small candy bag for kids, provided by The Reminder and 102.9 CFAR.
“They can go out in their driveway or their deck or doorstep and ring the bell for two minutes,” Senyk said.
“You can invite your neighbours out in their own yard and ring the bells together, to help spread joy in the neighbourhood. We thought, since we’re neighbours with Creighton and Denare Beach, we’d invite the three communities together to go out and share the magic.”
The new Christmas programs are meant to put some joy back into what has been a long, drawn-out year and holiday season.
“I think the children in our communities need some joy and excitement this year. I’m trying to bring some magic back. That’s my drive behind it - it’s my grandchildren,” Senyk said.
“It’s not going to be normal, it’s not going to be a regular Christmas, but let’s try to give them some magic.”
