Once again, the Bragg Creek Community Association (BCCA) is preparing to host its annual Spirit of Christmas event to be held on Dec. 3, featuring free and family-friendly events to spark some spirited celebrations at the Bragg Creek Community Centre.
From noon to 5:30 p.m., Bragg Creek will transform into a sparkling winter wonderland, with light displays, a holiday market, and good “old-fashioned fun,” according to Kim Perraton, general manager of the BCCA.
“Bragg Creek is the epitome of Christmas with the snow and the trees and the feeling of community,” Perraton said. “We feel that lighting it up will not only put people into the Christmas spirit, but it will also welcome visitors to Bragg Creek.”
She added the event will include a visit with Santa Claus, a meet-and-greet with some princesses, a chance to hop on a horse-drawn wagon ride, partake in a scavenger hunt around town, hear some holiday-themed storytelling, and enjoy some savoury treats.
“[Visitors] can see the beauty of the area and shop in the store or have a hot chocolate,” she stated.
According to Perraton, the outdoor market is the perfect place to find a one-of-a-kind Christmas gift. Junior attendees are encouraged to visit the kids-only holiday store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where little ones can find the perfect Christmas present for their family members.
“There are helper elves to lead [the kids] to some of the gift items for their parents based on what the kids mention their parents would like,” Perraton said.
The day’s festivities will culminate with the annual tree-lighting ceremony, during which participants will count down to the flip of the switch to light up some of the evergreen trees within the hamlet, followed by a lantern walk through the streets of Bragg Creek.
Each year, a special guest is invited to flip the switch lighting up trees across the hamlet. In a previous year, Canadian singer-songwriter Jann Arden, who grew up not far from Bragg Creek, was among those chosen.
Perraton said the ceremony signals the start of the holiday season in Bragg Creek, and this year, Santa Claus will flip the switch lighting the grand tree at the community centre, and lighting up nine other trees throughout the hamlet.
“We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back [for the event] and we’re hoping everybody enjoys the Christmas spirit that we’re trying to project,” she said, adding the event will mark the third weekend of Christmas-themed events in the Creek.
This year’s event will also include an outdoor holiday market with vendors selling unique and crafted goods from noon to 5:30 p.m. Additionally, a Bragg Creek resident will also be selling Christmas trees for sale at a special lot at the community centre.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be on-site with a special sleigh dedicated to Christmas photos, available by donation, according to Perraton.
She added the scavenger hunt, new to this year’s event, will bring people to five locations around the hamlet where there are special holiday-themed offerings.
“Each location will offer something for families to either do, drink, or be a part of,” Perraton shared, adding there will be hot chocolate, crafts, pony rides, and more.
For more information on Bragg Creek’s Spirit of Christmas event, visit braggcreek.ca
