New events bring success to ‘Holly Daze’

Sometimes it’s beneficial to make changes to reoccurring events in order to keep the interest up.
The annual pre-Christmas “Holly Daze” celebrations in Emo on Friday and Saturday had a few new activities—such as a parade, a “beautiful baby” contest, and a gingerbread challenge—added to its schedule, which certainly did just that.
“I think the parade was fantastic,” Emo Chamber of Commerce president Colleen Vennechenko enthused of the Friday night event. “I just keep hearing comments and more comments about how nice it was.
“And I already have more people wanting to participate next year, so that’s even better.”
The “Holly Daze” parade, which hasn’t been held for a number of years, saw about 20 floats from local businesses and organizations, including the Emo and District Hospital Auxiliary, the Christian Reformed Church, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Village Variety, the 4-H Club, and the Emo Walleye Classic—just to name a few.
“But we are going to have to slow it down next year,” Vennechenko added, noting those walking alongside the parade to collect donations for the food bank ended up running instead.
“I had people drop items off for the food bank on Saturday afternoon—the volunteers just couldn’t get to everyone during the parade,” she explained.
Vennechenko added the parade route worked well passing by both the Golden Age and Queen Street manors.
“The seniors really seemed to enjoy it—it was very positive,” she stressed.
And she said instead of ending at the Golden Age Manor, as they did this year, perhaps the parade could double back along Front Street to the tennis courts and end back at Donald Young School.
“And hopefully next year, we will have more lights, more animals, and louder music, although it’s hard because you are competing with the sound of the generator,” she conceded.
Vennechenko indicated the weather didn’t hinder the festivities at all.
“It wasn’t too cold, but the little bit of ice on the roads wasn’t the best conditions,” she admitted. “But it was sure pretty with the little snow coming down—it put everyone in the Christmas spirit.”
She said it seemed like there was a large crowd gathered for the parade, who were treated to a fireworks display at the waterfront afterwards.
Meanwhile, the “Beautiful Christmas Baby” contest and the Gingerbread House Charity Challenge also were successes—despite a relative lack of participation.
The “Beautiful Christmas Baby” contest had eight contestants vying for the title, with the photos being displayed at Meyers Clothing for people to vote on their favourites.
To vote, donations were accepted in the corresponding can of the cutest baby, with all of the proceeds going to the CT Scanner fundraiser organized by the Riverside Foundation for Health Care.
“I can’t believe how much money was made,” Vennechenko enthused of the $766.04 raised.
Channing, the four-month-old daughter of Crystal Johnston and Paul Davis, earned first place in the contest while Todd and Tracey Grennier’s four-week-old son, Kalin, came in second.
Pamela Mandamin and Derek Peterson’s son, Jesse, took third.
“It went over really well—I’m pleased,” Vennechenko said.
Meanwhile, the Gingerbread House Charity Challenge, hosted by the Friends of the Library and the Emo Chamber, saw five participants create a house or winter scene with cookies or gingerbread.
People could buy $1 tickets on each house and the money raised was to go to a charity of the participants’ choice.
First place was awarded to the Emo Hospital, whose charity was the Emo and District Hospital Auxiliary, with 86 tickets sold.
Carolee Strachan won the elaborate creation, which resembled an old Emo Hospital.
The Emo office of the Northwestern Health Unit’s gingerbread house came in a close second place, with the $83 raised going towards the new nutrition program at Donald Young School.
Jo Bragg was the winner of that one.
And in third place was 12-year-old Sarah Trimble’s gingerbread house, which earned $80 for the Canadian Diabetes Association. Her cousin, Tayla, won the creation.
The family of Kim Meyers and Geoff Pearce also raised $31 for World Vision while Tompkins Hardware made $27 for the Emo Toy Library.
Michael Vanderaa and Cheryl Curtis won these gingerbread houses, respectively.
“I think next year we’ll see more and more,” noted Vennechenko. “It was neat they raised they money for different charities—it’s where giving comes in.”
She did feel some people were unaware of the gingerbread houses being displayed at the Emo Public Library and said Gillons’ Insurance on Front Street is willing to keep their front window open to display them next year.
Vennechenko noted the businesses in Emo also seemed quite busy—at least during the first half of Saturday.
“The rush comes before noon,” she explained. “In the afternoon there weren’t many cars on Front Street and things began to quite down, but that’s to be expected.
“A lot of people were at looking, if not buying, because people are worried about the mill closing.”
But Vennechenko was happy to see some snow on the ground for “Holly Daze.”
“They were able to get the ice in at the tennis courts,” she remarked, noting while plans for a hockey skills contest did not work out, children still took advantage of the rink.
Some also were sliding down the hill at the Lions Park.
In related news, the winners of this season’s “Biggest Loser” challenge were announced at the Corner Closet on Saturday morning, with Janette Gavel earning $125 for her first-place finish (17.4 pounds lost).
Evie Hartlin took the second-place prize of $75 (losing 12.2 pounds) while Sandy Drennan received $50 for losing eight pounds. Laurie Mann placed fourth, earning $25 for her weight loss of 7.8 pounds.
Vennechenko noted it was a smaller group this season, so only the top four were awarded cash prizes. They also donated $100 to the Emo-La Vallee Community Centre for the use of the facility.
Also during “Holly Daze” was the draw for the remaining spots for the Emo Walleye Classic next May. However, the committee extended the field to 65 teams from 60, so the draw ended up being for placement only.
The results were as follows:
51. Mark Chapman/Ken Christianson
52. Bev Hasiuk-Strachan/Jesse Hasiuk
53. Andrea Trembath/Dave Tuchscherer
54. Chris Pieczko/Paige Lakota
55. Ken/Oscar Burnell
56. Sam Hayes/Josh Pollard
57. Earl/Lloyd Gillis
58. Chuck Ziegler/Karla McKenzie
59. Jason/Dietrick Smith
60. Dorian Lindholm/Gene Carlson
61. Jared Baker/James Kaemingh
62. Brian/Carole Dent
63. Curtis Sheloff/Don Smeeth
64. Jane Brigham/Shirley McQuaker
Only one spot remains open for the catch-and-release tournament. The final payment is due in March.
Two prizes of $250 in Emo Chamber bucks also were up for grabs during the weekend festivities. Sandy Van Zyl of Barwick and Marla Baker of Fort Frances were the winners.
Other activities during Saturday’s activities included the annual “Crafts Galore” sale at the Emo Legion and pictures with Santa at the toy library.
“I was very happy with the whole weekend,” Vennechenko enthused. “And I’m sure next year will only be bigger and better.”