MorningStar Christmas Faire hits fundraising goal aimed at supporting long-term care facility
Valerie G. Barnes Connell Jordan
Northern Advocate
The MorningStar Christmas Faire celebrated 40 years this year, and reached a major fundraising milestone.
Prior to being named the MorningStar Faire, the craft fair was held at the “old Gateway School, which was a forerunner to Pre-Cam and Gordon Denny Community schools in La Ronge and Air Ronge, Dianne McPhail, who now coordinates the event, said in an interview with the Northern Advocate.
Walter and Bernie Selin took over the event and named it the MorningStar Christmas Faire, she said, adding that was probably 40 years ago.
“She was very involved with it when I came here first.”
After becoming the MorningStar, the event was held in what is now Churchill Community High School for a couple of years before it was moved to its present home, the Kikinahk Friendship Centre, where it has continued to be and grow for probably 38 of its 40 years, McPhail said.
“It has been well received in this town,” she added.
As well as turning 40, MorningStar reached another goal this year. It reached and actually passed a goal to raise $12,000 to furnish a room in the Long-Term care facility being built in La Ronge currently.
McPhail said the funds were raised over a four year period. Fundraising activities included table rentals, a raffle and donations at the door.
“All go, totally, to long term care,” McPhail said.
Along with having a place for the Faire, there is also the “vendors and all that provide for the community.”
McPhail praised the Kikinahk Friendship Centre for its role in the Faire over the years.
“Kikinahk has been very good,” she said. “They donate their facility. They set up the tables for us and everything; they’re so good … they make things ready. We give them the floor plan and then they take all the tables and put them out.”
The number of vendors has grown over the years and they travel from quite a distance, she said.
This year there were 69 vendors with people from as far away as Kelvington, Sask.
“And they want to come back next year … [They were] the ones with the alpacas,” McPhail said.
“We always have a waiting list.”
If a vendor cancels, they can invite another one. They will also give the phone number to potential vendors about another faire, such as Gordon Denny Community School’s Snowflake Tea.
