CANORA - On Nov. 30, the Winter Lights Festival was celebrated in Canora with an active day filled with good food, hockey, and eye-popping colourful lights all over town.
The day began with a couple of tempting options, both involving food.
Canora United Church hosted a Cookie Walk, where for a feel of $15, participants could purchase a bag and fill it up from tables upon tables filled with scrumptious-looking cookies.
St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church served a delectable, piping hot sausage and perogy lunch, just the right thing on a cold winter day.
The Canora Civic Centre hosted a pair of hockey games, starting with a girls contest between the visiting the Estevan Steel Reef Bearcats 2 and the Parkland Prairie Ice, with a roster made up of players from Canora and numerous other area communities. The Ice sent their fans home happy with an impressive 7-0 win.
The evening game was the SEHL home opener for the Canora Cobras versus the visiting Wapella Blackhawks, with the Cobras coming out on top by the score of 6-3 in a chippy affair. In the spirit of the Christmas season, before the game the Cobras encouraged donations for Filling the Gap Food Bank in Canora.
Between the games, fans could head outside and take in the light displays in King George Park and all over town. With the temperature dropping down close to -25°C, there was welcome heat being generated at the King George Park bonfire.
Brandi Zavislak, Canora community development officer, said it was town council’s decision to shorten this year’s Winter Lights Festival to a single day.
“Some said it was too long in previous years, and everyone was very busy. Another factor was that the week-long Hockey Day in Saskatchewan events are coming up in January, and plans are well underway for that.”
There were a number of hearty souls who braved the -20 to -25°C temperatures, to enjoy the lights displays, but Zavislak said the bone-chilling weather had a significant effect.
“The cold was a big thing, a lot of people didn’t want to leave their houses.”
Even so, Zavislak said the Winter Lights Festival continues to draw significant interest from outside Canora.
“We keep on getting calls from Yorkton and Kamsack, people are so impressed with our events. Some came for a hot dog and the spectacular park lights display, they appreciate what we do and how we bring in tourism.”
Zavislak said the tree lighting program is going well, where people can sponsor a tree in memory of a loved one. Participation is growing each year, with over 40 trees lit up for this year’s Winter Lights Festival. With experience, they are learning valuable lessons in lighting up Canora.
“The wiring is damaged on some trees,” she said. “At the beginning we used lights from Canadian Tire, but we found out they don’t last. So now we use commercial lights, they work much better and last longer.”
It seems that Canora homeowners are increasingly getting into the spirit of lighting up their yards for Christmas.
“Yes, I’ve notice a huge change; many have stepped up their game with yard lights. We have so many people visiting Canora to see the lights, local people want to get involved,” said Zavislak.
The scheduled Winter Lights Parade was cancelled due to lack of participation. And without the parade, numbers were significantly lower at the bonfire.
“The Canora Tourism Fundraising Committee took advantage of the break, we are dealing with some committee burnout, as the fundraiser cabaret took place just a week earlier for the families that lost their homes in the house fires,” said Zavislak..
With the cold weather, traffic was steady at the curling rink concession.
“Hot chocolate was sponsored by Crossroads Credit Union, Sts. Peter and Paul Church and St. Joseph’s Church youth groups handed out cookies, and Canora town council provided hot dogs, all free. We wanted to do it for free after the parade was cancelled,” said Zavislak.
Some individuals expressed disappointment that the Winter Lights Festival was only one day this year, but it was difficult to avoid with a lack of volunteer support in many community groups, and volunteer burnout in others.
Zavislak said it was a popular idea to have a pair of hockey games as part of the big day, especially with Hockey Day in Saskatchewan coming up in January. She said it’s a huge event for all of Canora, and not just for hockey fans.
“Getting the new community centre would be for everyone, young and old, whether you’re a hockey fan or not.”
Zavislak said she’s been pleased to see a number of volunteers step forward who are interested in helping with Hockey Day preparations.
“Anyone interested in volunteering for Hockey Day or for any upcoming events, please call me at 306-563-5574.”
Don't count on social media to deliver your local news to you. Keep your news a touch away by bookmarking Canora Courier's homepage at this link.
Bookmark SASKTODAY.ca, Saskatchewan's home page, at this link.
