Paul Benoit, of Benoit Apiaries, had his honey and candle products for sale. Standing across from him are Malania Levesque and her son, Samuel. There were over 75 tables in the Centre Chevaliers and the merchants came from around the region for the Falher Christmas Expo & Santa Day on Nov. 25.
Mac Olsen Express Staff @SmokyRiverExprs
The Centre Chevaliers was a busy place on Nov. 25, as Christmas shoppers met with merchants and children had their pictures taken with Santa Claus.
The annual Falher Christmas Expo & Santa Day was held there and 1,058 people came through the doors, pleasing organizer Tina Simard.
“It’s getting bigger every year,” says Simard.
“We’ve had even more support from the community in the form of donations. That’s what makes the event possible, to keep it free for everybody.”
She held draws for prizes throughout the day.
Simard donated the proceeds from this event, in the amount of $500, to the Twilight Figure Skating Club. This non-profit group ran the crafts activity at the Christmas Expo and raised another $175.
There were 75 tables for merchandise and other items at the event, and the merchants came from all over the region for it.
Merchandise for sale included giftware, woodwork projects, teas and other food products, knitted items and handmade journals.
Members of the the Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River in Donnelly were on hand to sell books and provide information.
Children and families got their pictures taken with Santa on stage.
Phileas Flash, the balloon artist, entertained children and families with his creative talent. He made reindeer and other creatures out of his balloons. There was also face painting and glitter art tattoos for children.
Nov. 25 was a cold day, but families were willing to brave the weather and go for short hay rides on a trailer around the residential area of Falher.
The balloon artist, Phileas Flash, was on hand to provide children with creative designs, such as this reindeer he worked on.
The expressionistic artists are at work. Pictured above, Cynthia Meades paints Laurence Soucy’s face.
Author Lauretta Beaver promoted her books.
Pictured above, Maja Maisonneuve, 6, wants all children to have presents this Christmas.
Above, in front, from left, are Sofia, Kassia and Taylor Sparks. Behind is their mother, Erika Sparks.
There was lots of merchandise at the event, including these products by Dennis and Fern Thibault.
There’s nothing like a brisk hay ride in the middle of the day. Pictured above are Malania Levesque and her children, Adelle and Samuel.
Pictured above, Suzanne Parenteau of Momma Bear’s Feel Good Cream in Donnelly, with her products.
Pictured above, Renee Willis of RB Designs in Valleyview with her decorative Christmas merchandise.
Above, in front, from left, are Cory Labrecque, Adrien Houle, Alex Brouchu and Catherine Brochu. Behind them is Kyle Guerette. They handled the coat cheque and were raising funds for Warriors Youth Recreation Hockey Team and for the Children’s Wish Foundation.
Above, Betty Zahara of Journal for Life in Guy, with her products.
Tina Simard, second from left, made a cheque presentation to the Twilight Figure Skating Club for $500 as the proceeds from her event.
Pictured above, Tammy Dechief of Nanmade Lovelies in Guy, with her many of her knitted products.
Left-right, are Simard and Ella Hagen, with their balloon artworks.
Do you need a birdhouse for your yard or cottage? Then Dale Florence has what you need. Not shown is his wife, Simone Florence, who was selling her own products at the Falher Christmas Day & Santa Expo as well.
Carmen Ewing sold books and provided information about the Societe Historique et Genealogique de Smoky River in Donnelly.
