A Christmas Village walk-thru is in the works at the Melfort and District Museum grounds in December.
Museum curator Gail Marie Anderson told northeastNOW the village is being created in conjunction with the Christmas Castle group.
Admission is by donation only and will be split between the two groups.
“The Christmas Castle proceeds will go to the North Central Health Care Foundation (NCHCF) and the museum’s money is going to the restoration of our 1912 caboose,” Anderson said.
One of many displays that could be seen at the Christmas Castle at the Melfort Historic Post Office. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)The Christmas Castle project was a vision of a local doctor who felt there should be more activity on Main Street.
The Christmas Castle put on by Dr. Adeyemi Laosebikan and his wife, Foluke, was not only something for people in the area to do over the holidays but also served as a fundraiser for the NCHCF.
The Christmas Castle ran for the 2018 and 2019 holiday seasons bringing in around $6,000 each year.
For the Christmas Village, much of the decorations from the Christmas Castle are being brought in, as well as decorations from the museum.
The outside of the museum buildings are being beautifully decorated for the holiday season while the school and church buildings will also be open with displays inside.
The Friend’s of the Museum typically hosts a Christmas dinner and silent auction event but that will not go ahead for another year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
There will be 12 nights for the Christmas Village throughout the month of December from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Opening weekend will be December 2, 3, and 4 followed by Dec. 9–11 and Dec.16–18. The last three nights for the village before Christmas will be Dec. 20, 21, and 22.
“Everyone is invited to come through the powerhouse which will also be very decorated,” Anderson said.
When entering the powerhouse, school and church buildings attendees will need to wear a mask. Masks are optional when outdoors at the grounds.
“This year it is only available as a walk-thru. We are still trying to figure out how might be able to transport people around, but it is a little tricky,” Anderson said. “The city has plowed a circular path, so you have to go down one way and out a different way.”
The Melfort Woodcarvers group will be doing snow sculptures in the centre.
“We hope that we get lots of visitors each night and we are excited to showcase the museum,” Anderson said.
Hot cider will be served at the museum as well.
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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser
