Christine Whelan FEO, December 21, 2023, VOL. 5 ISSUE 8
The 4th “Annual Family Fun With Santa and Fireworks”, on Saturday, December 9th, was an indoor event with games, a photo booth, face painting, a colouring contest, and pictures with Santa. Outside, there were pony rides and when the fireworks were set off as darkness settled in, they could be enjoyed by everyone together, comfortably, in grandstand seating.
Looking back, the original Santa and Fireworks event was created as a solution to the challenges presented by the pandemic.
Barb Horning of the Fort Erie Festivals committee explained, “We ran the event in 2020 because the Fort Erie Santa Claus Parade committee couldn’t put together a parade. There were no parades or big groups allowed. We wanted the kids to be able to see Santa that year and the only option we had was a car event.”
Santa, on a float, went up and down the aisles of parked cars filled with community members of all ages. “It was the pandemic, we needed some happiness and we wanted to make Christmas somewhat normal.”
In 2021, restrictions were somewhat lifted. “You could get out of your car to watch the fireworks and there was a little bit more movement but we still weren’t able to have the crowds we would love. So, that’s why last year, we made it bigger and moved it inside but the fireworks were cancelled.”
This year, everything came together. “We were able to have the whole indoor event plus the fireworks”
“This year, we added the face painting, which was a huge, new addition and hit to the event. We had the return of the ice-sculptured fountain, also a big hit. The kids loved it because they could see the volunteers pour the punch through the ice sculpture. The kids would stand at the end with their cups. Something simple, but they loved it.”
Another new addition, “The fire department brought their safety committee and Sparky the Fire Dog.”
And then at 3:30 pm — Santa arrived.
“When it got to be near 3:30, the children started chanting, literally chanting for Santa. We had three volunteers.” With a little laugh, “We jokingly called them bodyguards. They walked him into where he was getting pictures done because he was being mobbed.
“They were chanting, ‘Santa! Santa!’ And I yelled, ‘Oh wow! This is why I do it!'”
Barb admitted it was quite an emotional moment for her.
As challenges arise in every preparation and organization of an event, she stated, these are the moments that make every challenge all worth it.
“This year we changed the shell. Because of COVID, we used a larger shell that went higher in the air for people who were parked in their cars. This year, we went with a smaller shell so that we were able to provide grandstand seating. This way, people were closer to the fireworks and were sheltered in case it rained.”
A shell is a sphere of pyrotechnic ingredients wrapped in paper. Shells are typically between 2 and 12 inches in diameter. In order to fire a shell, it must first be placed inside a mortar tube that is usually made from metal or plastic, according to fwsim.com.
“That was a nice change for us, to see and hear the people, when the previous couple years, people were in their cars or in the parking lot. And last year was cancelled due to the winds.”
Social media videos of the fireworks reveal the collective experience the audience shared with the reaction of applause at the end.
The Santa and Fireworks events continue as an addition to the parade. It’s an event for families who may have missed the parade. Barb explained, “It’s also different. It’s indoors and hands-on, interactive.”
Horning explained the reasoning for the scheduling of the event. “We just left it at the same weekend we started with, back in 2020. The hours are 2:00-5:00 pm, later in the day, both because we end with fireworks and need the dark, and by running the event later in the day, it gives people a chance to move around if there are other events that day.”
When asked if she had an idea how many attended, she could only estimate. “I would say, there were probably over 1,000 people who had come through for the event.”
Looking forward, Barb shared, “Our vision is to run the event at least one more year. We rely 100% on government grants and sponsorships.” The committee is and will be throughout the year, looking for sponsorships and volunteers to help bring this event back to the community for 2024.
Volunteers are always needed and appreciated as they tie all the activity together, “We could not have done it without them,” Horning commented.
She also stated the event could not happen without the Fort Erie Racetrack. “Their staff went over and above!”
Thank you to the sponsors: Garrison Automotive Service, Napa Autopro, Fort Erie Rona, Fort Erie Canadian Tire, and the Kinette Club of Fort Erie who partnered with Fort Erie Festivals to bring the pictures with Santa part of the event.
This writer, on behalf of the Greater Fort Erie area, thanks the Fort Erie Festivals committee, consisting of Dave Sevcik, Scott Hauser, Yvonne Hopkins, Bob Brown, Barbara Horning, and Pamela Clark, for working with what they’ve had so beautifully and creatively over the past few years, finally being able to tie it all together this year for the families of Fort Erie and beyond.
Merry Christmas!!
Fireworks photo, credit Allan Hackett
