Santa Claus flew into the Sundre Ball Park by helicopter as children anxiously awaited his landing at dusk on Nov. 23 for this year's Sundown in Sundre.
Sundown in Sundre is the town's annual pre-Christmas celebration and customer appreciation night that leads into the holidays.
This year, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. it included the Sundre Community Choir carolling around Sundre and a meet-and-greet with Santa's reindeer at the Sundre museum.
It also featured free photos with Santa and face painting at the Elks Hall, as well as Sundre's Festival of Wreaths at Country Road RV.
Meanwhile, local businesses enthusiastically participated and were offering bargains and highlighting holiday season items for excited customers.
Michelle Penney, a shopper at Sundown in Sundre, said she was glad to find deals and she enjoyed businesses putting out coffee and cake.
“Go around town and you will get fed,” said Penney.
Jim Eklund, owner of Bargain Browzer, said this was the eighth year his business has participated in Sundown in Sundre.
He said everything was 15 per cent off all day long, and then from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. there was a special discount where customers drew cards and received anything from 15 to 50 per cent off.
“It's customer appreciation,” said Eklund.
Marty Mennear, co-owner of the Sundre Sobeys, said Sobeys had a 10 per cent discount for purchases over $50.
Also, he said each department put two featured items on sale.
He said Sobeys has participated in Sundown in Sundre for “as long as it's been going.”
“It's good for the community and it creates some excitement during the festive season,” said Mennear.
Joyce Jewell, owner of Just Travel, said X-Stream Clothing, which is in the same building as her business, said the store was also in the same discount spirit.
Jewell said the entire regular priced merchandise was five to 25 per cent off, and there was also 30, 40 and 50 per cent off racks.
“We want to be a part of Sundre, we support Sundre totally and we would love it if everybody else supports Sundre totally,” said Jewell.
