Staff
Proving the nay-sayers wrong, the stationary parade for the “Festival of Frost” now is sporting 15 floats—a handful more than last year.
Floats range from Knox United Church, which will feature different sets of carollers all day long, to David Loewen’s living nativity scene.
The Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club, for one, will have a portable campfire on its float and serve up smores.
Organizer Robin Payeur of Causeway Insurance said she is pumped for the event.
“Ready or not, here it comes,” she laughed, noting planning the event has been more work than expected but it looks like it’s all going to be worth it.
“We’re very excited . . . I am looking forward to it,” Payeur enthused.
“It’s a day with family, it’s a day with the grandkids,” she added.
“It looks like the weather is going to co-operate yet again!”
Payeur also said Santa is pretty excited about attending the event, as is Li’l Amik.
Payeur added what she wants on her wish list for Santa is for people to bring food items and new, unwrapped toys downtown to donate to the less fortunate in the district.
Donations can brought to Causeway Insurance from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Meanwhile, the day full of frosty fun is all set to go.
Scott Street will be closed to traffic at 9 a.m. sharp so float set-up can begin (all floats are asked to be set up by 10 a.m.)
“Breakfast at the North Pole” will be held at St. John’s Anglican Church from 9-11 a.m., with the cost being $8 (children under two are free).
NCDS Career Works will hold a bake sale outside its building, running from 11 a.m. until all the treats are gone.
All proceeds will go to local charities.
Burton Penner of Borealis Dogsled Adventures also will be downtown tomorrow 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the BDO Dunwoody parking lot.
The last day of bidding for the “Festival of Trees” silent auction will start at the Fine Line Art Gallery at 11 a.m.. with the last bid taken at 1 p.m.
Winning bids then will be announced at 1:30 p.m.
Smashing Tea also will be on hand to serve up free samples.
“Karaoke with The Grinch” will take place at 93.1 FM The Border from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. while “Photos with Santa” will take place in the Fort Frances Museum courtyard from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
M.A. Photography will be taking photos, with the cost being $5 for one photo or three for $10.
Mrs. Claus, meanwhile, will be spending the day at Curvy Chick.
“The Story Lady” from the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre will be at From the Grind Up from 1-3 p.m., with kids urged to come by and hear a Christmas story.
The “Friends of the Fort Frances Museum” will be selling hot chocolate, homemade cookies, popcorn, and cotton candy in the museum courtyard from 1-3 p.m., with the Rainy River District Youth Choir to perform there at 1 p.m.
They will be followed by the Fort Frances Choraliers from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Fort Frances Citizens of the Year for 2013—Florence Hill and Jane McLeod—will be at Leon’s at 1:30 p.m.
Activities will start to wind down around 3 p.m., when the judging of the floats will take place.
Categories include Best Church or School Group, Best Non-Profit Group, Best Business Float, and Best Recreational Group.
And new category is People’s Choice—decided not by the float judges but the public.
Ballots and the voting box for the People’s Choice award will be available in front of Causeway Insurance.
