Christmas Lobby Party
Top: Amelia Gaetan wasn’t quite so sure about Santa, but gave sitting on his lap a try Wednesday night at the Medicine Hat Lodge’s Third Annual Christmas Lobby Party.
Bottom: Victor Amorim, Jaxx Noble and grandpa Randy Noble decorate cookies, one of many fun activities Wednesday.
Christmastime has arrived.
At least it felt that way Wednesday night, as the Medicine Hat Lodge invited local families to celebrate the upcoming holidays with its third annual Christmas Lobby Party.
“It really kicks off the season,” said Lodge sales manager Jill Scherer, and the event is a way for the Medicine Hat business to give back to the community.
The lobby was packed with families lining up to visit with Santa, participate in the colouring contest, sip hot chocolate, decorate cookies, have custommade balloon animals and enjoy the jazz band.
Scherer said an estimated 200 people come out each year, although the event continues to grow — one of the big draws is it’s free for families, which means anyone can come and enjoy it.
Every year, a local charity is selected to be supported through the event, with this year being the Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund.
The party gives families the chance to see the Lodge all decorated for the Christmas season, said Scherer, explaining it takes three days for staff to decorate once Remembrance Day has passed.
The biggest draw is the main tree in the lobby, she said — but a wonderful feature this year are all of decorated trees set to be auctioned off tonight at the Spirit of Giving gala for the SCF.