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Historic site hosting country Christmas

A historic site south of Longview is getting families outdoors for a day of old-fashioned fun in a time when many people are feeling run off their feet.
Santa Claus exchanges reindeer for a team of percheron horses during the Christmas party at the Bar U Ranch in 2014. This year’ s Christmas in the Country takes place
Santa Claus exchanges reindeer for a team of percheron horses during the Christmas party at the Bar U Ranch in 2014. This year’ s Christmas in the Country takes place on Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A historic site south of Longview is getting families outdoors for a day of old-fashioned fun in a time when many people are feeling run off their feet.

The Friends of the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is hosting its annual Children’s Christmas Party and Trade Show with horse-drawn wagon rides, a bonfire, sledding, snowmen building and a visit from Santa on Dec. 4.

The trade show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Christmas Children’s Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission for both events is free.

“A lot of parents enjoy getting their kids out on the toboggan and being out in the country,” said Charlotte Esser, special events chairperson. “We wanted to keep that spirit of history alive and make sure that they get to enjoy being outside. Our volunteers here know the history of the ranch so any chance that we can encourage that and promote the integrity of the ranch we do that. This is just another opportunity to get young people interested in the Bar U.”

Although the national historic site is closed throughout the fall and winter, Esser said the Friends of the Bar U were looking for ways to get young families together for a Christmas celebration when the idea came about three years ago.

“It’s a country-Christmas afternoon,” she said. “It’s more or less time that you can spend with your family and maybe meet some new friends, have a visit around a campfire, have a hot drink and just socialize.”

Teams of horse-drawn wagons will shuttle families to and from the round-up camp in the historic part of the ranch to roast smokies at a bonfire, enjoy coffee and hot chocolate and visit with Santa, said Esser.

If there is enough snow on the ground, participants are encouraged to build snowmen and sled on the surrounding hills.

“There’s some pretty good tobogganing hills within walking distance,” she said. “It’s only a couple of hundred yards away.”

Back at the visitors centre, more than 20 vendors from across southern Alberta will sell food, fashion, home décor and cowboy gear. This year is the first for the trade show, which was organized by Cait Bascom.

“We are getting quite a mixed bag,” said Bascom, adding there will also be skin care products, clothing, saddle-makers, hand beading, colouring books and art, in addition to her own fashion accessories. “I’m wanting to share all the neat things people are doing.”

With numerous markets and trade shows in recent weeks, Bascom said she wanted to offer something more attractive to exhibitors.

“What’s been happening lately is tables are $200 to $500,” she said. “You go to these trade shows and you might make that back, but you are not bringing anything home. I wanted to create something that allowed artists to have some support this year.”

She said it’s been a tough go for artisans recently.

“The economy has been hard,” she said. “As artisans we know it’s not an easy life. We are not going to have a huge paycheque all the time.”

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