Taber Winter Festival encouraging residents to shop local

Times File Photo

By Trevor Busch
Taber Times
editor@tabertimes.com

The Taber and District Chamber of Commerce and Town of Taber are hosting the annual Taber Winter Festival this Friday with a lineup of traditional events to kick off the holiday season.

Originally known as Midnight Madness, Friday’s event was rebranded as the Taber Winter Festival several years ago.

“Midnight Madness goes back to the 1980s or earlier but was renamed to Winter Festival in 2019,” said organizer and chamber director Bruce Warkentin. “It is a great event to support local businesses and kick off your Christmas shopping.”

Starting off the festival, which runs from 5-10 p.m. Nov. 14, is the Taber Public Library’s Jingle Sale from 4-9 p.m. at the Taber Community Centre. From 6-8 p.m. there will be hay rides and Santa photos at 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union at 5113 47 Avenue, and Technotrash is sponsoring activities at the Taber Legion Hall from 6-9 p.m. while Tim Hortons will be providing the hot chocolate and coffee at that location.

“The Chamber is excited to add more activities at the Legion this year including a family dance, hot chocolate and coffee, and other activities,” said Warkentin. “It should be a great time!”

At 6:30 p.m. the Taber Fire Department will be conducting the tree lighting on 52 Street between BMO and the Legion Hall, and the Taber Kinsmen Club is sponsoring free skating on the Small Ice at the Taber Ice Arena from 6:45 – 7:45 p.m.

Parallel Church (5120 47 Avenue) has a free movie at 7 p.m., Microglow commences a Family Dance at the Legion Hall from 7-9 p.m., while IGA is sponsoring free swimming at the Taber Aquafun Centre from 7-9 p.m. There will also be a display of decorated trees and raffle tickets to win on sale from 5-9 p.m.

Warkentin imparted a strong ‘shop local’ message and highlighted the importance of keeping dollars circulating in the local economy rather than supporting outside retailers.

“From my perspective, fostering a strong local shopping culture can significantly boost the local economy. When community members choose to spend their money at local Taber businesses, it helps keep resources circulating within the community. This not only supports local entrepreneurs and creates job opportunities, but it also ensures that the unique charm and character of Taber is preserved. Shopping local can lead to a more resilient and self-sustaining community, where residents feel a stronger connection to Taber and each other. By investing in local businesses, we help to build a vibrant, thriving community that can adapt and grow, even in challenging times.”

Festival attendees are encouraged to keep an eye out for “Santa Cob” around the downtown, take a picture with him, and bring it to the Legion Hall from 6-9 p.m. for a chance to win $50, $100 or $200 in “Chamber Bucks.”

“I would encourage everyone to come out and take part in all of the activities happening,” said Warkentin. “Consider making an evening out of it with your family to enjoy all the Taber businesses have to offer.”

The chamber is promoting shopping local for the holidays with the Passport to Christmas from Nov. 14-Dec. 14, with deals and specials with double passport stamps for one night only. Shoppers are also encouraged to enter all their Christmas receipts in the Local First TDCC promotion, with details available on the chamber website at http://www.taberchamber.ca.

“As in the past, and keeping with our Shop Local initiative, we will be running the Passport to Christmas once again this year from November 14 – December 14,” said Warkentin. “Participating businesses will carry and promote shopping passports provided by the chamber in their stores for customers to pick up. With each local purchase, customers receive a stamp in their passport. Customers must spend a minimum of $300 at businesses located in Taber and district to be eligible to enter a draw for one of three Chamber Buck prizes: $1000 first prize, $500 second prize and $100 third prize.”

For those unable to make it on Friday, the Taber Public Library’s Jingle Sale will continue from 10-3 p.m. on Saturday.