By Morinville News Staff
Sturgeon County – It might be five-and-a-half months until Christmas, but Cory Christopher and the folks at First Choice Tree Nursery and Garden Centre simply aren’t waiting. They are holding their annual big Christmas event July 13 to 15 and have invited Mr. and Mrs. Claus to come down from the North Pole to have a picnic with children, young and old, this Saturday and Sunday.
It’s all part of the gardening centre and year round Christmas store’s Sixth Annual Christmas Sneak Peak, and as is always the case whenever Christmas is contemplated, designer Cory Christopher is bustling with enthusiasm.
As in previous years, Christoper is bringing some elves, face painters, balloon twisters and snow cones to provide a festival of colours to complement those on display at the Christmas Sneak Peak, something Christopher is equally excited about. The last couple years have seen Christmas trends drifting away from the traditional colours associated with the season and the wrapping paper that surrounds it. This year, Christopher is ready to launch some new trends, some of which will be on display over the weekend.
Part of that Christmassy newness is the unveiling of the third custom designed and commissioned Christmas ornament, an opportunity to have something unique on the tree while helping a worthy charity. The Loving Hearts 2012 ornament will once again support the Mazankowski Heart Institute, an organization Christopher became truly aware of when his father had a heart attack and used their services.
Each Canadian-made, hand-blown ornament will be sold for $25 with $10 going directly to the Mazankowski Heart Institute. Just what that ornament looks like, Christopher refuses to reveal until the unveiling at the Christmas Sneak Peak July 13, an event that will continue July 14 and 15.
Christopher has said people would be be shocked and surprised at how many people utilize the services of the Mazankowski Heart Institute and how many are touched by a loved one or friend or even a stranger that has been there and had their life saved.
Plenty of fun for children of all ages
Although the ornament and Christmas trends will be on display throughout the weekend, Saturday and Sunday will be the big days with the annual Santa Summer Party and Picnic. Christmas lovers will be able to see all the sights and sounds of Christmas while getting a tan in the open spaces of First Choice. In addition to games and children’s activities, the Christmas-themed event will host their first dunk-an-elf fundraiser for the Mazankowski Heart Institute.
The Santa’s Picnic portion of the Summer Party takes place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 14 and July 15. Limited space is available and parents are asked to book ahead by calling First Choice Tree Nursery at 780-939-4448. The Christmas Sneak Peak runs from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. July 13; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 14 and 15.
First Choice Tree Nursery is located on Range Road 245 off highway 642, east of Morinville. For more information visit www.firstchoicetreenursery.ca.
