A familiar holiday tradition will return to the South Interlake Regional Library Stonewall branch this month, bringing festive creativity and community support together under one roof.
The 16th annual Festival of Wreaths will see displays begin as soon as creations arrive — starting Nov. 12 — with public voting running Dec. 1–19. Organizers encourage entrants to drop off wreaths by Nov. 28 to secure a prime display spot, though late arrivals won’t be turned away.
“Anyone and everyone are welcome to submit a wreath — the more the merrier,” said organizer Tara Glaspey. “This festive fundraiser is free and the only stipulation is that wreaths be artificial.” Wreaths can be delivered to the Stonewall Library during open hours, or alternate arrangements can be made by contacting Glaspey at tara@sirlibrary.com or 204-467-8415.
The fundraiser benefits the Stonewall and District Christmas Cheer Board. “Our goal is to always beat last year’s numbers,” Glaspey said. “We’re aiming for more than 31 wreaths and would love to hit $1,500 after raising $1,437 last year.”
How voting works: Each wreath will be identified by name and number. Voters fill out a ballot with the wreath number and the number of votes they wish to cast for that wreath, then place the ballot with their donation in the ballot box. Votes are $1 each, payable by cash or cheque, and people may vote as many times as they wish. “Groups that submit a wreath often pop in to vote for themselves,” Glaspey said. “It’s not unheard of to see a single ballot with 250 votes for one wreath.”
Certificates for the top three vote-getters and all proceeds will be presented to a Cheer Board representative at the library on Friday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. “We welcome everyone to join us — we do love a good cheering squad,” Glaspey added. Funds raised this year will support Cheer Board hampers.
Alongside the wreath display, the library will host its Mitten Tree and Sock Stocking collection. Donations of new mittens, hats, gloves, scarves, socks and slippers — handmade or store-bought — will be accepted Nov. 12 through December and delivered to the Cheer Board at the Dec. 19 presentation. The Cheer Board has identified priority needs including socks for ages 4–6, “Stay Dry” mittens and warm toques for all ages.
The library is also serving as a collection point for the Cheer Board’s “Most Needed Items for 2025,” including:
Teen gifts (13–17): gift cards (clothing/tech/fast food), wallets/crossbody or belt bags, backpacks, water bottles
Teen toiletries: shampoo/conditioner, body wash, shaving items, lotion, hairbrushes/combs
Clothing: pyjamas (teen girls M–XL; teen boys sizes 12–18 & XL), hoodies and sweatpants (sizes 12–XXL)
Toys and activities: infant/toddler toys (0–3), board games and crafts for all ages, school supplies (thick Crayola markers, pencils, erasers)
Also accepted: new, unwrapped toys, clothing, toiletries and grocery gift cards.
Glaspey credited the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce for spreading the word. Businesses, classrooms, daycares, families and community groups are again invited to participate, and entrants are encouraged to incorporate logos or names into their design. “Each year is distinct — we rarely see the same wreath twice,” she said. “For the 16th, we hope to see bigger, brighter and bolder submissions.”
The library will extend its hours from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the night of the Stonewall Santa Parade, inviting residents to warm up indoors, watch from the windows — and cast a wreath vote while they’re there.
“The Festival of Wreaths brings the community together,” Glaspey said. “It fosters creativity, supports local families and keeps the holiday spirit shining in Stonewall.” While organizers don’t always see the direct impact, Glaspey said they hear heart-warming stories from the Cheer Board about how last winter’s donations helped brighten the season for local families — a reminder of why the collection matters.
