The Bragg Creek Community Centre is gearing up for its annual Spirit of Christmas event on Dec. 4, including light displays, holiday markets, and “good old-fashion fun” for young and old attendees alike.
According to the Bragg Creek Community Centre’s website, the centre will transform into a “winter wonderland” on Saturday, complete with free family-friendly activities such as visits with Santa Claus, princess meet-and-greets, horse-drawn wagon rides, a kids-only Christmas store, and more.
Bragg Creek Community Centre representatives said while the event has been scaled down from previous years' iterations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will still be a light-up outdoor market from noon to 5:30 p.m., including local vendors offering up one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.
“We still have a Christmas market outside complete with all things needed to bring the spirit of Christmas alive in all of us,” said the representative.
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 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 was among those chosen.
With the event, representatives said the centre hopes to bring the community together again, considering the isolation felt by many during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has isolated people more than usual in the rural community and beyond,” they said. “This event is perfect to remind people about the importance of family activity and community.
“[There's] something for everybody at the Spirit of Christmas event to help you to boost mental health and reconnect to what really matters.”
Prior to the pandemic, the Spirit of Christmas would attract hundreds of Calgary residents out for a day of holiday-themed fun in the hamlet. The community centre representative said the event takes attendees away from the “hustle and bustle” of the city and offers a small-town family Christmas atmosphere.
“There is nothing more beautiful than a snow-covered Bragg Creek in winter,” read a statement on the Centre’s website. “Please join us for all the sights and sounds of our magical hamlet at Christmas.”
While anyone is eligible to attend the outdoor portion of the day’s events, those 18 and older who wish to attend the indoor kids-only Christmas store will be required to show proof of vaccination as per the Alberta government's Restriction Exemption Program (REP).
Those looking to participate in the market or tree-lighting ceremony are encouraged to visit braggcreek.ca
Carmen Cundy, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy
