Changes and additions to the annual Sundown in Sundre went over really well, said the Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce president.
While some of the activities had been held at the Sundre Elks Hall in the past, Sundown in Sundre had grown to the point where a larger venue was needed, said Mike Beukeboom.
So organizers felt it was time to relocate the community events like the Christmas bazaar, the Festival of Wreaths and the photos with Santa Claus to the Sundre Community Centre. However, there was a concern that the decision to move to the community centre might affect the Sundre Pioneer Museum's Cookie Walk, he said.
“They were a bit shy on their numbers from last year, but everyone seems to be a bit down in terms of donations this year. Times are tough and people are watching their pennies a little more.”
Yet moving to a larger hub like the community centre creates an opportunity for the entire Sundown in Sundre event to expand even more, he said.
The chamber met on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 9 to discuss, among other matters, how this year's event turned out, as well as potential ideas for making next year even bigger and better.
Most of the local business owners he spoke with said it was a successful evening.
“Overall, it was a busy night in town.”
Santa Claus arrived by the baseball diamonds behind River Valley School as he has traditionally done, although photos were held at the community centre, which was packed with boys and girls who wanted to share their Christmas wishes with the jolly man in red.
“Santa always does a great job. He was on top of his game this year,” said Beukeboom.
This year's new feature, the Taste of Sundre, which encouraged people to check out seven participating restaurants that stamped a passport for people who bought some sample menu items for a chance to win prizes, was “definitely successful, so we'll continue with that program.”
Now it's a matter of considering options to continue improving the successful event next year. Some ideas that were raised at the chamber meeting included providing wagon rides from the museum instead of the community centre, outdoor singing or carolling, and coming up with more ways to increase foot traffic downtown, he said.
This year, one variable that will always remain completely out of organizers' hands worked out favourably.
“The weather was with us this year — that sure helps. You always have your fingers crossed for the weather,” he said, adding, extreme cold snaps or snowstorms can really put a damper on events like Sundown in Sundre.
The chamber was pleased with how this year's event turned out in the end, and Beukeboom said he doesn't see any major changes for next year other than perhaps improving the same activities to make them better and to perhaps introduce something new. Any excess funds raised through Sundown in Sundre events this year were donated to Sundre Santa's Anonymous.
There was also no shortage of positive feedback from people who attended Sundown in Sundre, which took place on Friday, Dec. 4.
“I didn't expect all of this,” said Lisa Sorestad, who came for the first time from Olds to set up a table at the bazaar, adding there were more people, activities and entertainment than she had anticipated.
“It's wonderful to see so many people here,” said Sundre resident Donna Sandberg, who tries to come out for the event every year.
