Christmas Extravaganza is Dec. 10th

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Ho.... ho.... hold onto December 10th on your calendar! Its Rainy River Christmas Extravaganza time!
Many local kids are already into full Extravaganza mode. They are colouring pictures in a contest that will see the winner ride on Santa’s float during the parade that day!
The day long event begins in the morning with former Rainy River resident and professional photographer Jennifer Huziak of Winnipeg, taking Santa photos with kids from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
For the keen Christmas shopper last year’s super Christmas Vendor Mall will be back even bigger this year featuring many local venders selling crafts, cosmetics, delicious food items, etc. Rec. Director Meghan Shanks told the Record that last year it was mainly on the second floor of the Rec. Centre. “This year there are so many vendors that it will likely be on the main floor as well!”
Family activities begin at 1 p.m. with a free hotdog and hot cocoa compliments of the Rec. Board. Once tummies are full public skating, sliding, hayrides, cookie decorating and much much more fun will begin!
At 4 p.m. Santa will visit with kids on the second floor of the Rec. Centre. There will be Christmas carolling and Santa will have a treat for all kids who visit with him!
At 5:45 p.m. the Town of Rainy River’s Christmas tree, next to Gillon’s Insurance will be lit, setting the stage for the always fun Rainy River Parade of Lights! The parade will begin at 6 p.m. at the bottom of Main St. and travel north to True Value and then east to the Rec. Centre. Shanks said there are already five floats entered and that there will be cash prizes for the top entries, courtesy of the Rainy River and District Chamber of Commerce. To enter a float, call her at 852-4446 and leave a message if she is not in.
Several sponsors have kicked in to make this event a success. They are RR Playschool Inc, RR Rec. Board, RR Legion, RR Chamber of Commerce and Beaver Mills Market.