СÀ¶ÊÓƵ

There are many terrific occasions to be aware of during the Christmas season this year in the community. From plays, special dinners and seasonal gatherings, there are numerous reasons to stay in town and celebrate the Christmas of 2019 in Assiniboia.

Although not strictly a Christmas event, local theatrical performances by Popcorn Productions have come to represent the beginning of the December season when Christ’s birth is celebrated.This year, the production team of local actors directed by Alison Lewis and Darlene Kowalchuk will appear in Kristen Da Silva’s play, Five Alarm. Curtains will be drawn for the dinner theatre presentations at the Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreation Centre on the evenings of Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30. There will also be a matinee performance of Five Alarm at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 1 with door tickets priced at $20. 

The Christmas Light Parade will roll down Assiniboia’s Centre Street on December 4 starting at 6:30 p.m. For information on registering floats, entrants are asked to call 306-642-5553.

The Assiniboia and District Museum was closed on November 15, but the town’s historical centre will reopen on December 7 from 2-4 p.m. for their Christmas Tea. There will be refreshments, Christmas treats, a trivia competition and carol singing at this free affair.

The annual Festival of Trees will be held at the Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreation Centre from 5-11:59 p.m. on December 7. The annual event hosted by Crystal Weal will feature a holiday dinner by Fresh Start. The cover band – the Uncoolas – who play hits from the 1960s to the 1980s are performing for the evening. Proceeds from the Festival of Trees will go to the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ County Health Foundation and the Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreation Centre. The seasonal event in it’s 21^st year has raised $792,000 over 20 years to support a variety of regional concerns. Individuals interested in purchasing tickets, or wishing to discover more about the Festival of Trees, can go to TFM Trophies at 329 Centre Street.

Santa will show up on skates at the Civic Centre Arena on December 8 for Skate with Santa. The man from the North Pole will be handing out candy to visitors. Additionally, the rink concession will have a special meal prepared.

The second annual Twinkle Tour is set for three days from December 10-12 and will run from 6-8 p.m. Join the community at the Kin Hut, where the tours of Assiniboian houses decorated with Christmas lights will begin. The Christmas light tour will have three transportation options, including a bus, a people mover, or participants can view the lights by more traditional means with a horse drawn carriage.

The Christmas season can also be a time to reflect and recognize personal losses and grief. The Annual Ministerial Blue Christmas Service on December 11 will be hosted at the Piche Hawkins Grondin Funeral Home. The service is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.