Tom Henihan
South Peace News
The sixth annual Falher Christmas Expo and Santa Day took place at Centre Chevaliers Nov. 23.
An estimated 1,491 people visiting the event and 70 tables offered unique craft and novelty items, along with jewelry, household products, cosmetics, toys, clothing, accessories, and a great deal more, the vendors from throughout the Peace River Region had an extremely productive and busy day.
An interesting aspect of events with home-based businesses and creative enterprises one discovers distinctive and innovative work created by people in the region.
One particular instance at this year’s Falher Expo was “Drift Wimsies” owned by Elaine Moore from Whitemud, who creates 3-dimensional art pieces fashioned from driftwood.
“We have a place out on the coast and I collect all the driftwood and I bring it home and in the wintertime this is my project,” says Moore.
Working with the contours of the driftwood, Moore creates a variety of scenes such as a prairie scene commissioned by a client earlier that was on display.
Moore also allows the medium to dictate whatever whimsical or creative direction a particular piece of driftwood might take her, adding the miniature features and then painting the compositions.
The “Drift Wimsies” pieces were in great demand. Customers had to seize the moment and acquire a piece they liked, otherwise they were likely to lose out to someone else.
The free to attend event also offered free activities for children including tractor rides, face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon art and an opportunity to have photographs taken with Elsa and Anna, the principal characters from the movie Frozen.
The visits and photographs with Santa were busier than previous years with 150 goody bags handed out by 11:30 a.m, and well over 200 children visited Santa throughout the day.
Considering how much organization goes into putting an event such as the Christmas Expo and Santa Day, Tina Gach, who has organized the event from its inception six years ago, is already setting up for next year’s Expo.
“I have rented the hall for Nov. 28, and I have already almost 20 vendors booked, so I am looking forward to making the Expo and Santa Day event even bigger and better.”
With the new Frozen movie having just come out, taking one’s photograph with Elsa and Anna was a must for children. 
Whitemud resident, Elaine Moore who operates “Drift Wimsies” posing with her 3-dimensional art works that were in great demand. 
Face painting proved so popular with children that virtually all children attending the Christmas Expo had their faces painted. 
Phileas Flash has created balloon art for the last 17 years and attended every Expo.