Pearl Lorentzen
Lakeside Leader
The evening of Friday, November 25 is a popular time to have an event. This is when a large portion of the Moonlight Madness event is happening in Slave Lake. At the same time, Smith has Christmas Light-Up in the Park.
Both are community-wide Christmas events.
The Smith event is just that evening, so it is listed first.
Smith
Friday, November 25 at 4 p.m. festivities start in Smith with hayrides from Smith Community Complex to Junior Forest Wardens Park. These are put on by the Smith Community Association (SHARA).
The hayrides run until 5 p.m.
At 5 p.m., a free supper hosted by the M.D. of Lesser Slave River starts in the complex. The deadline to buy supper tickets has passed.
Slave Lake
In Slave Lake, the Christmas festivities run from Nov. 25 to 27, with two deadlines earlier in the week for participation. Festivities include Moonlight Madness and a full day of artistic workshops and a concert on Sunday.
Moonlight Madness is one of Slave Lake’s biggest events of the year. The basic parts are a window contest (with the winner turning on the community Christmas tree on Nov. 25), a gingerbread contest, parade, a Christmas market, and local businesses open late with special sales.
Nov. 22 is the deadline for businesses to have finished their Christmas window display. Registration is not required, but businesses off of Main St. can contact the Slave Lake and District Chamber of Commerce. The window displays will be judged by the Lesser Slave Lake Regional Arts Council. The winner will Light Up Slave Lake by turning on the town Christmas tree in Citizen’s Park on Main St. on Nov. 25 after the parade.
Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. people can drop off their gingerbread houses at the Fix for the annual contest.
Nov. 25 at noon, Moonlight Madness kicks off with the announcement of the Gingerbread Contest and window contest winners.
The parade starts at 6 p.m. on Nov. 25 and runs along Main St. and past the hospital and ends at Vanderwell Heritage Place (for full route see ad on Page 12).
The theme is ‘Santa Sleigh.’ It is organized by the Chamber.
At around 7 p.m. after the parade, Light-Up Slave Lake will be in Citizen’s Park. As of press time, this was only lighting up the Christmas tree, although more could be added.
In the past, there has been hot chocolate and caroling, but the Chamber isn’t organizing those this year. Someone else may organize this part.
Moonlight Madness (Black Friday) also includes sales (see ads on Page 12 to 14) and some businesses are open late.
Another major aspect of Moonlight Madness is the Christmas Market. It runs Friday, Nov. 25 from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is in the Slave Lake Multi Rec Centre (MRC). The market has Christmas crafts, regular market booths, and Santa photos. The photos are on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. The photos are put on by the Arts Council.
On Sunday, the Christmas focus shifts to the arts. The Arts Council has three workshops that day. Gnome Painting Class (10 a.m. to noon), Fresh Whoville Tree (1 to 3 p.m.), and Picture Frame Wreath (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.). Costs for the workshops vary. Registration is required. To register, text Corinna at 780-516-0041.
In between the art workshops, Stage North has a family, Christmas concert, ‘Ken Lavigne presents Three Knights with a Tenor,’ from 4 to 6 p.m. Kid’s 12 and under are free (See ad on Page 24 for details).
Other events
Friday, Nov. 25 is the last Friday of the month, so the Slave Lake Legion has a steak dinner. Doors open at 5 p.m. food served from 5:30 to 7 p.m. It costs $20 a plate and the bar is open.
On Saturday, Nov. 26 from 2 to 3 p.m., Ula Naszynska has a free, seniors event at The Fix. This is to help seniors discuss the challenges they face. To register, email uan@shaw.ca or call 403-607-7357.
In Flatbush, the library is holding a kid’s movie afternoon on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. The movie is ‘Lightyear,’ staring one of the ‘Toy Story’ characters.
