Christmas is right around the corner, and Stonewall is ready for its most festive weekend of the year. From community-wide celebrations to sweet treats and a visit from Mr. Claus himself, there will be plenty of fun for the whole family.
Santa Claus Parade
The Stonewall & District Chamber of Commerce Festival of Lights Santa Claus Parade will make its way down Main Street at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. Chamber secretary Christy Brown expects more than 40 floats to take part in the long-standing tradition.
“There are a lot of new floats registered this year that we have never seen before, plus the Coca-Cola float and, of course, Santa Claus will also be returning — two floats everyone always loves,” Brown said.
She’s excited to see the town come alive with holiday spirit as Christmas Day inches closer.
Businesses along the parade route — including One Insurance, Grantham Law and, following the parade, the Rockwood Motor Inn — will offer hot chocolate and treats for spectators in need of a warm-up. A bring-your-own-mug warming station, sponsored by Firewood Manitoba, will also be available in the Southside Service parking lot. The library will be open to visitors.
The South Interlake Regional Library is also inviting residents to stop in and vote in its 16th annual Festival of Wreaths, where every dollar donated to the Stonewall & District Christmas Cheer Board counts as one vote.
Manitoba Hydro will collect new unwrapped toys, monetary donations and local gift cards for the Stonewall & District Christmas Cheer Board to help ensure every family has a gift under the tree.
The Festival of Lights is still looking for volunteers to assist with crowd control.
“It helps keep people off the streets so we can have a safe and enjoyable time at the parade,” Brown noted.
To volunteer, email info@stonewallchamber.com or call 1-204-467-5836.
“Thank you to everyone who supports the parade each year, and a special thanks to the Stonewall Teulon Tribune and the 19th Hole for helping bring Santa to town,” she added.
Buddy the Elf visits Sig’s Grill
Ahead of the parade, Buddy the Elf will stop at Sig’s Grill from 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 5, bringing his enthusiastic North Pole personality and sugary diet to diners.
“We want to make this a fun event for people of all ages,” said owner Nicole Palsson. “Especially for the younger crowds so they can come in and see what Sig’s is all about.”
This marks Buddy’s first official visit to the restaurant, and he’s bringing a special menu featuring pancakes with syrup, cookies with dip and candy-themed appetizers. He’ll also make balloon animals, sing and have fun with guests.
“We can’t wait to ramp up the excitement before the parade,” Palsson added.
Breakfast with Santa
Families are invited to start their Saturday with a classic holiday tradition: Breakfast with Santa at the Stonewall Legion on Dec. 6, beginning at 9 a.m.
Sponsored by the Stonewall Kinsmen Club and the legion, Santa will visit with guests until 11:30 a.m. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage and a drink for $5 per plate, or free for children under five. Young diners will also receive a bonus Tim Hortons Smile Cookie.
Kinsmen co-chair Martin Mailman said the event remains a highlight for both the club and the community.
“It’s one of our projects that is always very well received,” he said. “People can get out, see who we are and what we do. After all, we are here to raise money for the community and other people.”
All proceeds will support the Stonewall & District Christmas Cheer Board.
Patricia Chartier Photography will be on site to take family photos. Photo packages are not included in the breakfast price, but guests are welcome to take their own pictures with Santa.
The Kinsmen’s Christmas trees have also arrived at Home Hardware Stonewall, where members will sell them on weekday evenings and all day on weekends leading up to Christmas.
Mailman said the club remains grateful for the community’s strong support, especially from the Kinettes.
“Without the support of the Kinettes, our lives would be a little tougher,” he said. “They’ve always been huge supporters of our projects — they are some of the best things that have ever happened to us.”
Hair Source Stonewall Open House
Hair Source Stonewall will host its annual holiday open house Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome to stop in and browse a wide selection of products, many of which make ideal stocking stuffers.
Owner Cindy Emberton said she looks forward to celebrating the season with clients and community members.
“This is important to us because we get to be in the Christmas atmosphere not only with our staff and clients, but other businesses in the community,” she said. “We love where we are, we love our returning customers and we love welcoming new ones too — Stonewall is the place to work, play, sleep, live and be.”
The salon is offering a holiday promotion: purchase a $100 gift certificate and receive a $10 bonus certificate.
“We think it’s important everyone can be treated to a little bit of pampering this holiday season,” Emberton added.
Quarry Choristers Christmas Show
The Quarry Choristers are halfway through their Interlake holiday tour and have two remaining concerts this season. On Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m., 30 choristers will fill Warren United Church with festive music. Their final show is set for Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at Teulon Lutheran Church.
Both performances run about 45 minutes. Chair Julie Leduchowski said audiences can expect a blend of classics and new additions.
“We have a bunch of familiar favourites on our program, plus a couple new songs to add to the mix,” she said. “It will be fun for everyone.”
Admission is free. Warren’s silver collection will support both the church ministry and the Choristers, while Teulon’s proceeds will go to the Teulon Cheer Board.
“Thank you so much to everyone who supports us throughout the year,” Leduchowski said. “We do this for you.”
Sonic 3 at Flicks Cinema
To wrap up the weekend, the Stonewall & District Lions Club is sponsoring a free showing of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 at Flicks Cinema at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 6.
The concession will be open, and outside food is not permitted. The Lions Club will collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations for both the Stonewall & District Christmas Cheer Board and the Interlake Food Bank.
