Donalda celebrates the unofficial start of the season Saturday with “A Christmas Village.”
The events include a country market, parade of lights, shopping, fireworks and Christmas carols.
All the fun is slated for downtown and the main street from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We all get together in the spirit of Christmas, and we’ll light up the village,” said Beth Fulton, who chairs the organizing committee that brings residents and community organizations together to celebrate the season and community fellowship.
“It’s a very fun day for the whole family and people of all ages and the community fully support it.”
For the first time since the event began three years ago, fireworks will take to the sky after the parade, which is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
“We will also have carolers singing during the parade, and then we tour around the village,” Fulton said.
“We also hope to have an outdoor skating rink by the big lamp, if the weather cooperates.”
Vendors and crafters will fill Donalda Community Hall with plenty of crafts, decorations, gifts and food for the season.
Nativity scenes will be on display at the Donalda Art Gallery.
Santa’s Shopping Centre in the drop-in centre is expected to be buzzing with children, who can buy a gift for $1 and see Santa Claus himself.
Food and refreshments will also be served by Donalda School representatives.
Partners of the event include Donalda and District Agricultural Society, the Village of Donalda, Donalda Friendship Club and Donalda Community Promotions.
For more information, to reserve a table for the market, or to enter the parade, phone 403-883-2891.