SUNDRE – Business owners, residents and the local chamber of commerce celebrated on Dec. 2 the community’s seasonal Christmas kickoff event in the lead-up to the holidays.
Largely spearheaded by the Sundre & District Chamber of Commerce through partnerships with community groups such as the Sundre & District Museum and the Sundre Royal Purple #191, Sundown in Sundre offered a variety of family-friendly events as well as some special shopping deals at participating shops.
The chamber this year opted to for the first time print out custom-made bingo cards specially designed with squares such as “make a purchase at a participating local business” as well as “enjoy a free hot chocolate and TimBits at The Den youth centre” and “bid on a wreath at the chamber wreath festival in the museum” to encourage participants to make their way around town.
Carrie Couch, the museum’s executive director, said community traffic at the museum throughout the evening “was fantastic.”
About 45 families had their photos taken with Santa and his sleigh, with about $375 raised by the cookie fundraiser with proceeds helping to fund the museum's barn and ranger station roof projects, said Crouch, adding that people also enjoyed the chance to listen to some live tunes by Linda Jean and Gloria Kae, who put on a Christmas concert.
Additionally, there were plenty of bids on the Christmas wreaths, with proceeds supporting the Sundre Nutrition for Learning Society as well as the chamber and community initiatives, she said.
“It was an exciting night and as always, the Sundre & District Museum loves hosting our community,” said Couch.
