Duane Hicks
With the “Festival of Frost” just over a week away, plans for the Nov. 30 event continue to get bigger and better.
Robin Payeur of Causeway Insurance said that at last count, 13 floats were registered for the “stationary” parade, with still more people thinking it over—a little hesitant because of the uncertainty about the weather.
Payeur said everyone should have a better idea of what the weather will be like next week, and it would be preferable if they could have all floats registered by next Wednesday (Nov. 27).
“We’ll never turn anybody away but at least this will give people an opportunity to get organized—find a spot for them and let them know where they’re going to be,” she explained.
Participants are being asked to bring their floats downtown by 11 a.m. next Saturday. Not everyone has to be on the float all day, but it’s a bonus if the float ties into an activity.
Judging will take place from 3-4 p.m. At this time, organizers are asking participants be at their floats, with lights on, music playing, and waving—just as they would during a moving parade.
To register a float, call Payeur at 274-6688.
More good news is the town has permitted use of the handi-van to transport Rainycrest
residents downtown to drive by the floats so they, too, can take in the festive sights.
Meanwhile, more and more people are coming forward to add to the celebration in different ways.
Payeur said some vendors will be on the street downtown selling Christmas items such as wreaths.
Someone else will be setting up a live nativity scene, with animals such as sheep, while another will be bringing in horses, which will be in a corral.
The Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club will bring snowshoes and skis downtown to promote their activities, and also have a firepit for people to roast marshmallows and warm their bones (Payeur noted there likely will be several firepits going that day).
As well, Burton Penner will bring his sled dogs downtown for the public to meet.
As for scheduled activities, “Breakfast with Santa” will held from 9-11 a.m. at St. John’s Anglican Church.
There will be “Pictures with Santa” in the museum courtyard from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., where cookies, cocoa, popcorn and cotton candy will be sold by the Friends of Fort Frances Museum from 1-3 p.m.
And the Fort Frances Choraliers will be singing from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on the museum steps.
Library Storytime, meanwhile, will be held at From the Grind Up from 1-3 p.m.
Silent auction bidding on the local Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club’s’ “Festival of Trees” will be going on at the Fine Line Art Gallery on Mowat Avenue.
Canada Post will have a special decorated mailbox for kids to mail their letters to the Santa.
Payeur said she has been amazed at the ideas that are coming forward.
“Especially the live nativity scene—I thought, ‘What a terrific idea!’ I never would have thought of that.
“The creativity of people astounds me,” she enthused.
“All in all, I’m quite pleased,” Payeur added. “I’m just crossing my fingers and hoping for good weather.
“We’ve been very lucky so far.”
Payeur also noted the food and toy drive is in full swing.
People can drop off their items prior to the “Festival of Frost” at either Causeway Insurance, the TD Bank, the Royal Bank, or the CIBC.
Alternately, they can drop off donations in Santa’s sleigh, which will be parked outside Causeway Insurance, on Nov. 30.
