An annual Byemoor tradition carried on this past weekend as the community hall played host to Santa Claus Day, featuring lots of vendors, homemade treats and a visit from the old man himself.
Doreen Nixon, treasurer of the Byemoor Community Club, said the event, held on Saturday, Dec. 6, has been organized annually for many years.
“It goes over pretty well every year,” she said. The hall was mostly filled with 20 vendors, although Nixon said that in past years they’ve tried to squeeze in more tables.
“We’ve had them down the hall and into the curling rink, but it’s pretty cold down there,” she said. “We’re just so full.”
On sale were a variety of handcrafted items and other products, including crafts, clothes and home décor. Vendors sold items from such companies as Watkins, Gold Canyon, Usborne and NuCerity.
A bake sale table had contributions from several local bakers. The club also served lunch to visitors, including beef on a bun, soup, biscuits and dessert.
The youngest vendor was Rylee Jones, 7, who sold rubber-band bracelets at $2 each, with proceeds going to the Children’s Wish Foundation.
The bracelets were made in lots of different colours for boys and girls. Rylee said they are fun to wear and fun to make.
“I just wanted the kids to have a wish,” she said, explaining that this was the first time she has sold the bracelets.
Her mother, Paige, was selling crafts and products from Epicure and Scentzy at her own booth.
“I was doing crafts and she was like, ‘I want to do something for Santa Claus Day,’” Paige explained, adding that making the bracelets and donating the proceeds were both Rylee’s ideas.
“It made me very proud when she came up with it all on her own,” said Paige.
Bob and Joan Rossler, who live north of Hanna, were in attendance to sell their range of homemade wooden items, including toy cars and trains, games and other novelties.
“Kids like them,” said Bob, who added that he has been doing woodworking for decades and often sells his products at Christmas markets like the one in Byemoor.
Dorothy Brickell, who lives near Byemoor, sold a line of hanging decorations she made herself, including signs with hand-painted slogans, made with old wood.
“We have a barn falling down on our property,” said Brickell, explaining that she takes the planks from the barn to make the signs.
Another pair of local vendors were Jenelle Hassett and Tanis Longshore, who sold unique products like barbed wire wreaths and snowmen made from painted glass pickle jars. Longshore, who operates Inspiration Custom Cabinets and Furniture, also had wooden products for sale, including shelves and clothes racks.
Santa Claus arrived at the hall later in the afternoon. Members of the Byemoor 4-H Beef Club were on hand to set up the tree, take pictures and hand out treat bags.
Nixon reported later that the event turned a profit of roughly $1,000, which is returned to support the hall. Winnie Paulsen of Endiang won the 50/50 draw pot of $155. A total of 67 candy bags were handed out, while more than 200 people came through the doors.