Stephanie VanDeSype 鈥� Assiniboia鈥檚 Recreation and Community Wellness Manager 鈥� announced the winners of the 2020 Twinkle Tour on a live video launched on social media in the latter part of the morning of Friday, December 11.
First place went to Santa and Mrs. Claus at their summer residence in 麻豆传媒AV Saskatchewan at 222 Second Avenue West (Sopel).
The Martin family on 1104 First Street West came in second (the first place People鈥檚 Choice winners in 2019).
The Bouvier household on 431 Third Avenue East won third place in the People鈥檚 Choice for the Best Lighting Display in the 2020 Twinkle Tour. 听听听
VanDeSype described how she first conceptualized the Twinkle Tour, now in its third year.
鈥淚 created the Twinkle Tour in Assiniboia because as a child, we lived on a farm and our parents would take us into the city to take part in our own Twinkle Tours every year.鈥�
VanDeSype searched different light displays in 麻豆传媒AV Saskatchewan and in the U.S. for inspiration.
鈥淲e always checked out the lights in Plentywood Montana, Estevan, Weyburn, or any other large centre we happened to be visiting.鈥�
VanDeSype learnt the spirit of Christmas from her parents. Her enthusiasm for organizing events such as the Twinkle Tour comes from her thorough passion for Christmas.
鈥淢y parents love Christmas and have certainly passed the spirit on to their four children. They now come to Assiniboia to take in the Twinkle Tour and love the spirit that our community has shown.鈥�
For VanDeSype, decorating houses with lights at Christmas are integral to the holidays. 鈥淚 wanted members of our Community to share in the same experience we did growing up, drive around and enjoy the lights and appreciate the work people have put in to their homes.鈥�
This year, there were a record number of 16 participants spread over the town, so the Twinkle Tour route required a map 鈥� especially since there weren鈥檛 horse-driven sleighs and buses available from the Kinsmen at the Kin Hut to view the lights this year.
鈥淚 created a map to make the route easier,鈥� VanDeSype said. 鈥淎nd the prizes are just to add a little friendly competition,鈥� she added.
Twinkle Tours have been jointly run by the Town of Assiniboia and the Assiniboia Kinsmen since 2018.
鈥淲e are so thankful for the Assiniboia Kinsmen for once again partnering in this event. This year they reached out to all of the eating establishments in town and purchased gift cards.鈥�
Winners of the 2020 Twinkle Tour will receive a combination of restaurant gift cards and trophies. 听
鈥淭he top three winners of the peoples鈥� choice lighting displays will go home with gift cards to support our local restaurants. The winner will also receive a small 鈥楾winkler Award鈥� People鈥檚 Choice trophy they can keep and will have their name added to the larger trophy, which they get to place on their mantles until next years competition.鈥澨�
VanDeSype was impressed with the people of Assiniboia and their excitement shown for the 2020 Twinkle Tour. 听
鈥淎ssiniboia Residents continue to amaze me with their Christmas Spirit 鈥� there are more homes decorated than not! Regardless of COVID, the lights bring us joy, peace and hope, while providing an experience for all听to enjoy.鈥澨�
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