The Byemoor Community Hall overflowed this past Saturday morning, Dec. 3 as people from the community and neighbouring areas got together to do some Christmas shopping and meet Santa.
There were 16 vendors in total, and included many from different communities, such as Bob and Joan Rossler from Hanna selling wooden toys, Castor's Carol Brown selling all kinds of woollen accessories and Stettler's very own, recently launched "The Fresh Wife" line of soaps and body products sold by Shawna Benson, one of the two partners.
For more than 40 years the community has celebrated Santa Claus Day. It's now a tradition.
"It started out that the Santa Claus Day and craft sale day were held on different days but about 20 years ago we decided to join them together and make it all happen on the same day," said Doreen Nixon, treasurer of the Byemoor Community Club, which has been hosting this event for a while now. "The number of vendors this year, however, was a little down from last year."
According to Nixon, the event was very well attended and there were more people from outside the community this year compared to the previous years.
"We never know who will attend the event, it truly depends on how many hockey games are organized at the same time," Nixon said with a chuckle. "We lucked out this year and all our younger teams were able to be here for Santa."
The concession was run by Gwen Keith, another prominent member of the Byemoor community.
"The concession did really well as did our local bake table which people in our area donate to," Nixon added. "There were lots of kids and children, the turnout of that remained great as usual as they waited to greet Santa and get candy bags."
Nixon said that to prepare of the event, she had put ads in the local paper and started organizing weeks back.
"The catering committee looks after and prepares the food for the concession booth, while the fundraiser committee and helpers look after the bake table and raffle," Nixon explained. "We are truly blessed in our small community to have willing volunteers to help with this event each year which keeps it all running very smoothly."