Many of us might be needing holiday spirit this year more than we ever have. Manitoba’s most festive season is surely going to look quite different, which has people wondering if all of the beloved holiday festivities will be cancelled. While that may be the case for a handful of events, Selkirk’s famous Holiday Alley is still going strong. And there’s never been a better year to help support all of the local businesses that bring this community celebration together.
Virtual events are all the rage right now, and some aspects of Holiday Alley will be online-only, but guests can look forward to attending in-person from the comfort of their vehicles. Drive-by and drive-thru activities will include a Santa Parade of Lights and a drive-up Santa photo session.
Organizers have thought of ways to keep all the hit activities going this year including the Selkirk Animal Hospital Pooch Parade, the Soup Cookoff, and the Poetry Slam.
If you’d like to donate to a good cause, and also just love looking at dogs, then the Pooch Parade is for you. This year’s theme is Light Up Your Ho-Ho-Home for the Holidays! with first prize going to the pup that best steals the “spotlight.” Manitobans who think their pup is photo-worthy can enter here and prepare for filming on Nov. 21.
Viewers will then vote virtually for the pooch participants online at holidayalley.ca.
The Gaynor Family Take-Home Soup Cook-Off is bringing the mmmm to Manitobans at home this year.
Sample soups and vote for the best one by purchasing a ticket beforehand, and then bringing that ticket to the Riverside Grill between 11am – 5pm on Dec. 5. Each $40 ticket is good for enough soups, buns, and dainties for four people.
Ticket holders will then have plenty of time between Dec. 5-11 to vote for their favourites at holidayalley.ca.
All leftovers will be donated to local organizations in need of food.
Do you have something poetic to say about how the holiday season feels this year? Step up to the mic—from the comfort of your living room—for the annual Poetry Slam. This year’s slam theme, “Alone Together,” aims to make everyone feel a little less isolated during these times of separation.
All poets will be filmed at a safe distance and all clips will be launched on the Holiday Alley TV on Dec. 5.
These are just some of the fun and innovative ideas that are happening at this year’s Holiday Alley. This event surely required a lot of creativity and flexibility—this year more than ever!
To help support this event, or to take part in one of the activities, visit holidayalley.ca today. And rest assured that those who can’t attend from their vehicles will be able to attend from their homes. All the festivities will be viewable via Holiday Alley TV on YouTube and Facebook Live.
Stay safe and stay holly jolly!
—Colleen
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