Review staff:
The upcoming holiday season may not be quite as merry this year as they have in the past following the announcement that the annual Community Carol Festival had been cancelled due to a lack of performers.
“Where this used to be the main event for the community to come together and celebrate the spirit of Christmas, there are many more activities that families can participate in today,” said Judy Lamb-Richardson of the Rimbey Recreation Department, which sponsored the event. “People’s time seems to be much more split than in previous years. There also seems to be a general change of focus surrounding Christmas. As well, there has been a major decline in church choirs within the churches that makes participating difficult.”
Both herself and longtime participant Annette Boorman cannot pinpoint exactly when the festival began, but they agreed that it has been a Christmas tradition for many decades.
We’re not exactly sure how long it’s been held,” Lamb-Richardson said. “Annette said it had to have been going for somewhere between 30 and 50 years because it used to be held in the old Community Centre. But we do know that this year would have been the 21st year that the Community Chorus would have participated in the Community Carol Festival.”
We’re not exactly sure how long it’s been held,” Lamb-Richardson said. “Annette said it had to have been going for somewhere between 30 and 50 years because it used to be held in the old Community Centre. But we do know that this year would have been the 21st year that the Community Chorus would have participated in the Community Carol Festival.”
At its peak, the ladies estimated that at least 15 different acts were involved in the festival and drew huge crowds, many of which ended up being ‘standing room only’ situations.
This year however, only three acts had committed to perform.
The announcement may have a bit of a ripple effect through the community as well, especially for the local food bank which was the benefactor of funds raised during the performances, but not this year.
However all is not lost for those with a desire to hear some great Christmas classics as the Community Chorus will forge ahead and have announced that they will be performing on Thursday, December 18th at the United Church in Rimbey with a freewill offering that will be donated to the Food Grains Bank.