INNISFAIL – They sang, danced and performed for a cause.
Innisfail and area residents demonstrated their talents during a fundraising talent show at the Ol’ Moose Hall on Feb. 15.
Money raised from the event went toward the Our Lady of Peace Building Fund.
A new building for the Catholic church is currently being constructed following the demolition of the older building last fall.
“We are with the fundraising committee and we have little projects that we want to take off our list and I said I would look into this talent show,” said Joanne Wouters, co-organizer for the event. “The word spread and the parishioners came forward to help out.”
It is not the first talent show for the church, said Wouters, adding they held a similar fundraiser about 15 years ago.
“We wanted a new sound system and we had a talent show in our hall,” she said.
This year’s talent show featured several local acts ranging in age from six to 81, and included performers, singers, actors and dancers.
“We have a band. We have individual singers. We have Highland dancers. We have a musical theatre act. We have dancers. We have an Edge team - it’s a youth group from Red Deer,” said Wouters, noting several instrumental performances as well, including an accordion, guitar and piano. “We have a big finale surprise.”
Audience members could vote for their favourite act by donating money honouring their favourite performance.
The two-hour talent show was one of several fundraisers the local church has had in recent months.
“There will be more (fundraisers) coming,” said Wouters, noting the $600,000 price tag of the new church building.
The fundraiser was a group effort, she noted, and there was plenty of support and interest for the event from the Innisfail community.
“Everybody was very, very supportive,” said Wouters. “Together we will build the church.”
Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church is hoping to have the new church building constructed and ready to move into by Easter weekend in mid-April.
