TIMMINS - One of the first signs of the holiday season is fast approaching. And it is growing.
The Schumacher Lions Club Christmas Craft and Gift Show is set to take place Nov. 8-10 at the McIntyre Community Centre.
Vendors will fill the floor of the arena. But to accommodate an increase in the number of vendors, there will also be booths upstairs in the auditorium.
Show Chair Gabrielle Nault and Co-chair Carrie Backer are excited to see the event grow.
“Expect to see a great show this year,” Backer said. “We have more than 70 vendors this year. They will be taking part in the arena area, as well as the auditorium upstairs.”
“It’s one of the biggest shows in Northern Ontario,” Nault said.
Numbers back up that claim as between 5-8,000 attended last year’s show.
There will be a wide variety of vendors there, offering crafts, décor and gift ideas.
“From food to face painting for the children, to pictures with Santa Claus, arts and crafts from the community and more, it’s one-stop shopping for Christmas,” Backer said. “There’s jewelry, there’s woodworking, there’s bath and beauty.
“There’s all kinds of gift ideas, something for everybody out there.”
New vendors will be on hand as well.
“We’re going to have a nice photo booth this year, in addition to the one with Santa,” Nault said. “A vender, a professional photographer, will be there to take photos.”
Another new vendor will be offering character balloons.
“They blow up a balloon and it becomes a character,” Backer said. “It’s going to be a surprise for a lot of kids. It could be a giraffe, an elephant or something for Christmas.
“It’s a surprise.”
One of the most popular attractions, of course, is the visit from Santa.
Santa will be on hand Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2-3:30 p.m. He will be visiting again Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Children can visit with the jolly old elf and have a photo taken with him for $5.
The Christmas Show is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Schumacher Lions Club. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids 10 and under. All funds raised from admission fees go back to the community.
“That money is contributed to the community where ever it is needed,” Backer said. “It could be food, medical equipment, sports sponsorship and more.
“Where there is a need, we’re there to help.”
Examples of recent donations include sponsorship of hockey players and teams, helping a senior purchase a new hearing aid, assisting a family in providing four children with glasses, and providing financial assistance to a family with a young child requiring long-term care it Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. The club also recently gave $50,000 to the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation.
All requests for assistance are investigated by the club and any approved donations go directly for payment of items or service.
The Schumacher Lions Christmas Craft and Gift Show is open Friday, Nov. 8, from 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Come out to the show,” Nault said. “It’s a lot of fun and you’re supporting your community.”
