(File photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Ben Tompkins

A Christmas Carol

Melfort Rotary Carol Festival kicks off ‘the season of giving’

Dec 3, 2022 | 8:00 AM

The Melfort Rotary club is set to hold its 72nd annual Carol Festival on Sunday at the Melfort United Church.

This will mark the first time the event has been able to happen, since 2019, after being cancelled for the past few years due to the pandemic.

Rotary president Gailmarie Anderson told northeastNOW people have missed it and are quite eager to get back to it.

“We’re pretty excited about it… it’s to get people into the Christmas spirit, thinking of all that’s happening in the season, and it’s for the generous donations from the public to support the Salvation Army Christmas hamper fund.”

All proceeds raised from the festival, which will all be by donation, will help the local Salvation Army and its annual Christmas campaign.

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Anderson explained that’s one of the reasons that Rotary exists and they’re very happy to once again be able to support a great cause.

“The motto of Rotary is service above self and in our community, we give back quite a bit to various things and that’s what we’re here for. We’re here to help those in need, however we can. We’re a big supporter of the Salvation Army because of all that they do, which directly helps people in need in Melfort.”

The festivities, which always occur the first weekend of December, will have just one show, running from 2-4 p.m.

Despite having two shows in previous years, the Rotary decided to do just one, as they ease back into it.

Currently, there are 21 entries of different groups and individuals, who will all sing their own carol.

Groups and individuals include the United Church Bell Choir, the Girl Guides, the Northeast Community Band Ensemble, the Tisdale and District Strings, the Haven family, Stephanie Turner, and her two little girls, as well as the Rotary club itself.

“There’s quite a bit of a collection of people and groups performing, so it’s going to be really entertaining,” added Anderson.

She also mentioned they will have a special performance from one of their former exchange students.

“Miriam Lundberg from Sweden has pre-recorded a song for us and we’re going to be playing that. We’re kind of excited about that because we haven’t had an exchange student for the past two years and usually, they would sing something in their native tongue, so Miriam is doing a song in Swedish in English.”

Hot chocolate, coffee, and donuts will also be provided, as the public is encouraged to stay for everyone’s performances.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8