The Rotary Club of Lacombe and the Rotary Club of Lacombe Daybreak are once again hosting the Rotary Carol Festival, which is now a 64-year holiday tradition in the community.
“The Rotary Carol Festival is a long-standing opportunity for the community to get together,” Rotary Club Member Ivor Bernatsky said. “It is the start of the Christmas season for many and it is one of the last opportunities for children int he community to have the Christmas concert that used to happen in schools.”
The Festival, which takes place on Dec. 4th and 5th at the Lacombe Memorial Centre, is one the Rotary Clubs are always proud to host.
“We are the caretakers of the last Christmas concert around,” he said. “For whatever reasons, they don’t happen as often and the Rotarians feel pride in being able to continue to offer the service. It continues to be large enough that we have to hold it on two different nights.
“As long as the need is there, we will continue to offer this service.”
The Festival also is a way for Lacombe residents to give back to their community during the holiday season.
“Rotary Club is the largest service club in the world and in Lacombe, the Rotary Club supports many projects,” Bernatsky said. “We are collecting for two charities: The Food Bank, where we are asking people to bring canned products as a donation and we also collecting cash donations for The Santa’s Anonymous Gifts for Teenagers.”
He added, the Festival is a way to give people young and old to showcase their talents.
“We feel it is our responsibility to provide a platform. With Rotary being a community service group, it is a perfect fit for us to continue to do it after 64 years,” he said.
The Rotary Clubs are also looking for support from the community throughout the year.
“There are events we host that we looking for support financially. That includes the Lobster Dinner, a beer and wine festival in February and there is also projects where we put the effort to make them happen like family badminton and other youth programs.
“We really want to get the word out there for support and financial commitments when people are able to.”
Currently the Rotary Club is not looking for Festival Volunteers and they are currently looking forward to hosting the community.
“After that many years, we have it down pretty well,” he said.
todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com
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