If fa-la-la-ing in the forest and caroling around a campfire sound way better than battling crowds at a mall or facing “out-of-stock” icons onlin
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Town staff continue to think outside the box when it comes to bringing the community holiday events.
Last week’s announcement by the provincial government that indoor and outdoor gatherings would not be allowed meant the cancellation of numerous events.
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Emma Harper, recreation coordinator for the Town of Whitecourt, and her team had a few events planned such as the annual Twinkle Tour and Night at the North Pole.
Both had to be cancelled in order to abide by the new regulations, which were implemented to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 UPDATE FOR WHITECOURT
Mandatory, province-wide restrictions announced by the Government of Alberta on December 8 have been put into effect to protect the health system and slow the spread of COVID-19.
These mandatory restrictions will in place at least until January 12, 2021. Health officials are monitoring the situation and will adjust measures if required. All Albertans, businesses, organizations and service providers must follow all new health measures.
Gathering Restrictions
Effective immediately,
all indoor and outdoor social gatherings – public and private – are prohibited. This does not apply to service visits from caregivers, health or childcare providers and co-parenting arrangements. Close contacts are limited to household members only. Individuals who live alone may have the same two non-household close contacts for the duration of this restriction.
First Place: Ray Seib – 1022-113th Street. Ray receives a plaque declaring him the winner of the 2020 Twinkle Tour, as well as a private movie showing with admission for up to 35 peopl,e and a $50 gift certificate to their concession. The overall prize value is $300. Runners-Up Brandon Kotzer at 2062-96th St. The runners-up receive a private movie showing with admission for up to 35 people and a $50 gift certificate to their concession for a prize value of $300. Honourable Mention Hans Klassen at 1402-98th St. Both honourable mention winners receive a $50 gift certificate to the Credit Union CUplex NationsWEST Field House/Battlefords CO-OP Aquatic Centre.
The reason for the decision is obvious: COVID-19 restrictions. City Manager Randy Patrick made the recommendation at council to cancel the formal tour. He explained that the province had just dropped the maximum outdoor gathering size to ten people. This posed a major logistical challenge in setting up the event. Normally, the Twinkle Tour attracts upwards of 400 people. But Patrick noted there are issues when those taking part in the tour would get out to take pictures at some of the more notable displays. To handle the crowds, the city would have required a large contingent of staff “which we don’t have for this, we never have, to keep the crowds under control,” said Patrick.