While some might think pulling off a magic show during a pandemic would be like pulling a rabbit from a hat, the Rimbey Municipal Library’s event Aug. 12 was widely successful and well-attended.
The response to the outdoor show was so massive, they had to split it into two showings.
Library manager Jean Keetch says it was “amazing,” and “wonderful” to be able to hold an in-person event — the library’s first since COVID-19 closures began in March, although the library has been open since June 22.
The library had planned to have just one performance, with a max of 40 attendees (in order to account for staff and the magician for a total of 50 people) in case of inclimate weather forcing the show indoors.
However, a total of 75 people pre-registered, so it was decided to hold two performances.
“We had to because we got so much response from the community,” said summer student Casey Cole, adding most of the attendees were families with children.
“It was nice to see the kids out having fun,” she said.
The magician was Tristan Court of TriXtan Entertainment out of Calgary. The organizers found him online and through his website found he had good reviews, so they decided to try him out.
A lunch was also sponsored by TELUS for everyone who came out.
After this first successful event with COVID-19 restrictions in place, the library is hoping to hold more in-person events in the fall.
The library has been hosting a variety of online programming since it reopened, such as story time and science experiment videos, which will also be continuing into the fall.