Duane Hicks
Spectators of all ages lined Scott Street on Saturday evening to see Santa Claus come town.
The Fort Frances Community Christmas Parade was a bona fide success—sporting about 25 floats and decorated vehicles, horses, and a horse-and-buggy, not to mention volunteers handing out candy.
“It was splendid,” said parade co-ordinator Scott Krienke-Turvey.
He noted the key to success was that “the community came together.”
“There were floats that were in that probably wouldn’t have gone in in past years,” he remarked.
“And the community helped out in a big way financially with Santa’s float to make it much better than what’s in been in the past due to its lack of upkeep,” Krienke-Turvey added.
This year’s theme was “Old-Fashioned Christmas,” and everyone also was urged to wear their ugliest Christmas sweater.
The Ugliest Sweater Float Award was given to Young Living Essential Oils while the Best Float Theme Award went to the Rainy Lake Nordic Club.
The Spirit of the Season Award went to The Church of the Holy Spirit.
All of these were sponsored by Fort Frances General Supply.
A total of 30 Ugly Sweater Awards (Christmas tree ornaments) were presented to both participants and spectators alike.
These were sponsored by Pure Bliss Beyond Organics and the staff of Tim Hortons.
The Ugliest Ugly Christmas Sweater Award plaque was presented to Shea Wiebe (this award was sponsored by Ink Spotz Apparel+).
In addition to sponsoring prizes, local businesses supported the parade with donations to Santa’s float, as well items such as candy, which was donated by the Bargain Shop and Canada Safeway.
The local Air Cadets, Bethel Baptist Church, and Carl’s Eatery handed out free hot chocolate to parade-goers.
The parade ran with few problems, but Krienke-Turvey conceded one aspect of the parade he’d like to do differently is the staging area.
Floats lined up at the library parking lot this year.
But if he does it again next year, Krienke-Turvey said he’ll be sure to book the arena parking lot or similar venue where there’s more space.
He also noted he hasn’t given much thought yet to co-ordinating next year’s parade, but if he does, he’ll need “a significantly larger committee to help.”
Meanwhile, the third-annual “Festival of Frost” was not as busy as in the past, but still offered holiday fun for those who came to Scott Street earlier in the day Saturday.
“I don’t think it was as good as the last couple of years,” admitted Shops on Scott spokesperson Richard Boileau.
“I don’t think there was the participation, and I think it was maybe because more people participated in the parade,” he added.
Boileau recalled that the “Festival of Frost” began a few years ago in place of a parade.
If the public prefers participating in the parade instead of “Festival of Frost,” then the Shops on Scott will rethink the event.
“Maybe we won’t do it next year,” he remarked.
The event included Lac La Croix ponies, farm animals, bake sales, bonfires, smokies, popcorn and a “Frosty Toss” game, hot cocoa, apple cider, and a little music.
The public came forth with toy and food donations to help 93.1 The Border and the local Salvation Army “Burst a Bus” in the name of helping local families have a better Christmas this year.
St. John’s Anglican Church hosted “Breakfast with Santa” while Energy Fitness held its popular “Santa 1K Shuffle.”
And Santa Claus made an early appearance here Saturday, spending several hours meeting local children and posing with them for photos in the sleigh at the museum courtyard.
Santa told the Times he figures he wished “Merry Christmas” to at least 150 boys and girls that day.
