A stitch in time with annual Czar Quilt Show
The Community
Press
Tuesday November 9, 2004 Volume 96 Issue #18 Published at 4921-47 St. Sedgewick, Alberta Serving Flagstaff County and surrounding areas for over 96 years 75 cents including GST
Killam begins new tradition with Down Home Country Christmas By MICHELLE MOLYNEUX The Killam Chamber of Commerce proved that small town Alberta has everything to offer. They sponsored the first ever Down Home Country Christmas over the
weekend to encourage Christmas shoppers to open their wallets locally and have some old fashioned fun along the way. The schedule of events included Festival of Trees, a parade, Mr. and
Mrs. Claus, a roast beef supper, trade show, carolling, late night shopping, wagon ride, tea and bake sale, medieval feast, draws and open houses. The Festival of Trees featured local
businesses and organizations decorating a Christmas tree in their own unique style. Trees were located in the “old hardware store” on mainstreet and could be viewed with a donation to the Christmas Sharing Program. The promotion was to get people into the festive spirit and have some fun. In all there were 13 trees entered and over 250 people filed through to have a look. Christmas Promotion Committee member Dan Fee was happy with the Festival of Trees as well as the events overall. “We never know what to expect the first time. It’s intimidating to people who have never done it before but there’s been nothing but positive feedback. Someone said it looks like Killam has a new tradition.” Unofficially the favourite tree was decorated by the Killam Pentecostal Tabernacle Sunday School. Each class made a particular type of ornament. “They made it into a project. It was a concerted effort that got the kids involved.” The Christmas Light Up Parade featured 10 entries decked out in colourful lights in the theme of the upcoming festive season. The Chamber expects more entries next year as everyone got their feet wet learning how to light up a parade float. The mild weather was great for spectators. Young ones were abundant and parade watchers were able to stand on sidewalks to watch rather than sit in their cars. The mild temperatures made an outdoor skating rink impossible but Mr. and Mrs. Claus made their rounds around town without the ice skates. The United Church roast beef supper was busy as usual and well attended. Quite a few people joined in with the carollers, wagon ride (by one grandmother’s account the best wagon ride ever), bonfires and the Presbyterian Church tea and bake sale. The home-based business Trade Show on Saturday at the Killam Agriplex offered those who don’t have a store front to show their wares and talents, proving even further how much Killam has to offer. People were taking advantage of extended business hours even if it was just to get out and socialize.
KERRY ANDERSON PHOTO
Ruth Jackson decked her horse for the season and for the parade held Friday night in Killam as part of the Down Home Country Christmas. Many activities and in-store specials were put on over the weekend with the downtown just a bustling. Please see A8 for more photos.
Many people got into costume in Medieval spirit for the Killam Community Hall Association and Killam Volunteer Fire Department’s first in their concert series , Shadow of the Sword. Future concerts will be held Jan. 22, Feb. 12 and March 12.