MELFORT — With the Christmas Castle not running for the second year in a row at the Historic Post Office, a new tradition is forming of a Christmas Village at the Melfort and District Museum.
The event features the museum’s several buildings decorated festively with holiday cheer, hot apple cider, and snow sculptures created by the Northern Lights Woodcarvers. The snow sculptures include a nativity scene and Santa Claus in a sleigh.
While only two building interiors are open to the public, the church and the school, both are decorated for the occasion.
Gailmarie Anderson, the museum’s curator and cultural coordinator, said that with COVID-19, the Christmas Castle was unable to go ahead with their indoor event at the Historic Post office, resulting in team up for this new event.
Since opening it on Dec. 2, Anderson said the museum received several positive comments from guests and a general community buzz about the fixture.
“We’re hoping it will be our first annual because it’s very successful. It’s tons of work, but it’s fun too,” Anderson said.
“There’s wonderful lights throughout, we also have a bonfire which adds to the atmosphere and there’s music out there so it’s very peaceful It’s only a walk through.”
To make it a reality, Anderson said about a dozen volunteers have been working at the scene for over a month, with some lights coming from the Christmas Castle, others from the museum’s own storage, and some bought new.
“(We wanted it) just to add to the Christmas cheer in Melfort. People haven’t been able to get out a lot and see each other. You have to come in through the power house, so you have to wear a mask inside, but otherwise you don’t have to wear a mask outside or be vaccinated or whatever so it gives people a chance to do something out in the public.”
The event will run from Dec. 9 through to 11, Dec. 16 through to 18 and Dec. 20 through to 22 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Admission is by donations. All proceeds go to the Melfort Hospital, the North Central Health Care Foundation and the museum’s restoration of their 1912 caboose.
For more information visitors are asked to call 306-752-5870.
