LAC LA BICHE - Those who attend this year’s Lac La Biche Festival of Trees from November 24-26 will also be able to take in the sights and sounds of the 12th annual Christmas Shopping Extravaganza, running for two days over the festive weekend. The activities all take place at Lac La Biche’s Bold Centre.
Bev Tkachuk, who organizes the Christmas Shopping Extravaganza with the Lac La Biche Agricultural Society, said the two-day event will feature dozens of vendors representing a wide range of local businesses and community organizations.
“We have over 100 vendors booked over the two days mostly from Lakeland area-home businesses, crafters, store front businesses, and not-for-profits,” she told Lakeland This Week.
Tkachuk said those looking for great bargains a month before Santa arrives in town will find a variety of crafts ranging from wood signs and pottery to leather crafts, soaps, bath salts, knitting, and a selection of Christmas décor and crafts.
The Shopping Extravaganza runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26. It will also feature photography exhibits and Indigenous vendors.
Community Support
In addition to allowing area businesses and nonprofit organizations to showcase their products and services, the Christmas Shopping Extravaganza is also a chance for organizers to work with community groups and help them out with fundraising efforts. This includes providing free tables to non-profits to sell what they need for fundraising. Furthermore, local Kids Are Worth It school food program sells raffle tickets to prizes donated by the vendors.
“We do work with groups that are raising money to help them out at the event,” Tkachuk said. “We donate to LLB Minor Hockey because they always run a hockey tournament during this event.”
Held in the same building as the annual Festival of Trees, which is also a huge community fundraising event featuring dozens of decorated trees raffled for charity, the whole weekend is about that giving spirit, says Tkachuk.
People who enter through the doors of the Bold Centre will be also be greeted by volunteers dressed with Christmas flair.
According to Tkachuk, tables for the Christmas Shopping Extravaganza have been selling fast, with only a handful remaining for the second. Registration for day two, can be done through Tkachuk at 780-623-0503.
