INNISFAIL – Ever since the story of How the Grinch stole Christmas! came to public attention in 1957 the ill-natured and mean-tempered beast has lived in the shadow of Santa Claus during the holiday season.
After all, Santa is forever giving and kind; adored by elves, reindeer and children.
The Grinch, despite his turnaround in the 65-year-old story of having his heart grow three sizes, is still considered by many as the antithesis of everything that is good about Christmas and Santa.
“With the Grinch it is like an underdog story where he's misunderstood. He's miserable. He's mean. He grumpy. But then he meets Cindy Lou and the power of friendship changed his ways,” said Innisfailian Brittany Letourneau. “And I found with COVID everyone’s spirit kind of dampened and I wanted to bring that magic back to them.
“Let's bring everyone together and just kind of get that magic of Christmas back.”
To do that, Letourneau seized the often-misunderstood spirit and message from Dr. Seuss’ cantankerous character and created something unique and joyous for the community.
For the past three years Letourneau and her husband Kyle have offered a Grinchmas celebration in town.
The first two years, in 2020 and 2021, were held outside.
In 2020 she and Kyle simply went around town Grinched-up and handed out candy canes.
“People came from far and wide into our little town and we just kind of met them on the streets,” said Letourneau, adding they then tried the great outdoors again in the second year but with a different twist. “We did tobogganing with the Grinch down at Raspberry Park. Hundreds of kids came and got to toboggan and race the Grinch.”
However, in 2022 it was time to take the Grinch indoors.
On Dec. 10, the couple hosted the third annual Innisfail Grinchmas at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104; a free family event made possible after receiving a $2,500 Community Grant from the Town of Innisfail.The couple also secured sponsorship.
Hundreds of kids and parents attended the event, which was held from noon to 4 p.m. in the legion’s auditorium.
McMan Central donated games. The couple also received support from the Innisfail Kinsmen and Central Co-Op.
They received volunteer help from the Innisfail Special Events Planning Society (ISEPS).
With everything in place wide-eyed kids were given the opportunity to play a variety of games and crafts.
They gathered around Kyle to listen to stories. They sipped hot chocolate and ate cookies.
And they had photos taken with the Grinch.
“Today's been amazing. There's been tons of people come through. People were trying to come in early today. And even with the (CP holiday) train coming through town, it's stayed steady all day,” said Jamie Flaman, ISEPS vice-president who volunteered for Innisfail Grinchmas.
She added the CP Holiday Train delay actually helped the event as many parents decided to take their kids to the legion.
“A lot of people came through the doors once we heard the train was going to be late; lots more people came through the door,” she said.
What’s equally important for Letourneau was for kids, and many adults as well, to get the chance to gain a greater understanding of the extraordinary positive message the Grinch offers this time of year.
“He just represents that through the power of friendship, through the power of laughter and love, which is what community brings together, it can completely change your outlook on life, and the way you perceive people or perceive the world,” said Letourneau. “Sometimes we just need a friend in order to feel that Christmas spirit that you might not feel, or when you feel lonely. There's always that one person who is there for you, kind of what the Grinch was like.
“He just needed that one person, Cindy Lou, to help his heart grow and see the magic of Christmas.”
