Wetaskiwin’s Gingerbread & Glitter

by Barry McDonald

Monday, November 26, 2012

Gingerbread and Glitter 2012 was a resounding success. A colorful parade, food bank donations, cash donations, fireworks, $1 hotdogs, entertainment, Christmas Craft Fair & Kids Korner, free coffee and donuts, silent auction and raffle items, , Family Christmas Movies, the Ronald McDonald Magic Show and all provided by giving and caring people within the community of Wetaskiwin.

The event exemplifies everything a community strives to showcase. There are endless stories and examples about the 2300 hours of volunteerism that make Gingerbread and Glitter possible. Clubs, individuals and businesses become ‘one’ to prepare for the event. Caring, sharing, all inclusive, affordable, fun, and free to everyone who wants to attend.

The Wetaskiwin Drill Hall was transformed into a dazzling display of decorated trees, wreaths, creative creations, and of course gingerbread. The community organizations and businesses supported the event with auction items, sponsorship and donations. But perhaps more importantly, they showed their support for Gingerbread and Glitter with a high level of enthusiasm and participation. Dot Brekke, a founder of the event describes, “We have kept it affordable as admission is a food item, cash donation or an unwrapped gift. We can proudly say 100 % of proceeds raised at Gingerbread and Glitter go directly to charitable causes in the community.”

Gingerbread and Glitter supports local charities

The proceeds from Gingerbread and Glitter are invested directly back into the community. “We have supported many worthwhile causes over the years but have narrowed it down to 3 local charities in recent years, Secret Santa, The Wetaskiwin Health Foundation and the Food Bank.” Gingerbread and Glitter also makes donations to other groups such as Horizons Centre for helping out with the event.”

The bus used to collect donations for the Food Bank was weighed at the end of the event and was and astounding 950 pounds (440 kilograms) heavier.

Gingerbread and Glitter parade, ‘Candy Cane Wonderland’ hosted by the City of Wetaskiwin Firefighters Social Club dazzled spectators lining Main Street. The lead float carrying the VIP’s halted the procession just prior to 50th Street where MP Caulkins, Mayor Elliott and other dignitaries officially opened Phase I of the Main Street Revitalization Project. Many spectators followed the parade to the Drill Hall to melt the cold away with free hot chocolate while being treated to a performance by The Family Comedy Show by Hypnotist Keith Miller. Soon it was time to go outdoors again and enjoy another light show provided by a fireworks display at the Norm Brown Field.

Gingerbread and Glitter opened at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 16th and following a weekend of activity, the displays and decorations came down on Sunday, November 18th ending another successful and fulfilling event. And, for the 19th time, Dorothy expressed her deep gratitude to the volunteers, “Volunteers are critical to the success of our event. It takes about 2300 hours to put on Gingerbread and Glitter.”

For more information go to the website, http://gingerbreadandglitter.com/ where you can click on the Twitter account #GingerbreadandGlitter or go to the Facebook page to view all the scrapbooks that have been scanned and loaded to their Facebook group.

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