Staff
The second-annual “Festival of Frost” here next Saturday (Nov. 29) is shaping up to be very cool indeed, including a parade based on the hit movie, “Frozen.”
But the 57th-annual “Parade of Lights” will be a lot more magical if more groups and businesses would enter floats.
“We have four floats registered, but we have a lot of other people that have called and said they’re doing stuff,” noted Annely Armstrong-Thorstad, manager of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, which is organizing the parade along with Boston Pizza.
This year’s theme is “Frozen Fun & Twinkling Lights,” with the “Frozen” part referring to the mega-popular Disney movie.
Armstrong-Thorstad said a confirmed float is being done by Midget ‘AA’ hockey and the Kenora and Rainy River District Child and Family Services, who also will be collecting toys for its “Adopt-an-Angel” program.
The Salvation Army will be collecting food and money donations at the beginning of the parade.
The parade will assemble at the Memorial Sports Centre from 4-4:30 p.m., at which time floating judging will take place (there will be prizes in several categories).
The parade then will head west down Scott Street by 5 p.m., dispersing at Mowat Avenue.
Call the Chamber at 274-5773 to register your float.
The Downtown Business Improvement Association, meanwhile, is lining up activities and fun next Saturday.
BIA spokesperson Jennifer Horton said they still are welcoming individuals, groups, and organizations who want to stage an activity or have an open-air display.
“Certainly, it’s not too late to participate, whether it be vendors or service clubs who want to come down and promote their stuff, hand out treats, or whatever they want to do,” she noted.
Horton also said the BIA still is looking for a Santa.
Anybody jolly, burly, or both interested in playing the part should call her at Curvy Chick (270-6859) or Kimberly Emes-Nicholson at Emes Financial (274-2710).
Call those same numbers to book a spot downtown on Nov. 29.
Horton said she’s pleased with the amount of participation so far, noting the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of Scott Street will have something going on from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Activities so far range from sidewalk sales and B93’s “Burst a Bus” food and toy drive to “Grinch” karaoke, Christmas carolers, and treats at the Fort Frances Museum.
The Rainy River District Youth Choir will sing at 1 p.m. while the Fort Frances Choraliers are set to perform from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Any groups who would like to sing downtown next Saturday are asked to call Sherry at the museum (274-7891) or Judy at Betty’s (274-9565) to arrange a time.
Other activities include “Breakfast with Santa” at St. John’s Anglican Church from 9 a.m.-noon.
Energy Fitness, meanwhile, will hold a “Santa 1K Shuffle” at 11:30 a.m.
The warm-up will begin at 11:15 a.m. at From the Grind Up. Participants then will run from there to Celeste’s and back.
There is a $5 registration fee and those interested are asked to sign up at Energy Fitness Centre by Nov. 28.
The first 100 registered will get a Santa hat to wear the day of the shuffle. Santa will lead the run.
NCDS will have a bake sale, and also is hosting its first-annual boot hockey tournament.
And there will be a craft and vendor sale at the UNFC Circle of Life building on Mowat Avenue from 1-4 p.m. (call Lori at 274-8541 for more info).
There also will be fire pits to warm your toes by, baby farm animals near Betty’s, Lac La Croix horses, food, and more.
As well, a sleigh will be set up in the museum courtyard, where families can take their own photos with Santa.
Mrs. Claus also will be making the rounds.
Something new this year is the “Queen of Frost” (Judy Kielczewski), who will be on hand along with a menagerie of seasonal characters.
Finally, the “Festival of Frost” also includes the Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas tree auction.
Starting early next week, Armstrong-Thorstad will begin promoting the 10-12 trees that have been made and donated by individuals and businesses.
Some will be at the public library while others will be at businesses and banks that have agreed to display them or where staff have made them.
There will be a map so people can see where the trees are located.
The public then can go to the various locations and bid on the tree that catches their fancy.
The tree auction will run up until 3 p.m. on Nov. 29, after which time organizers will start pulling in bids, with proceeds going to the Chamber of Commerce.
Armstrong-Thorstad said anyone is welcome to decorate and donate a tree, but she will need them sooner than later next week.
Call the Chamber (274-5773) for more info.
