This weekend, Christmas at Casa returns for the 13th year.
“It’s our premiere Christmas event. We host over 60 vendors this year,” says Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge Manager of Engagement Will Big Bull.
Over 100 artists and artisans will be a part of the gathering, Big Bull adds. “We’re going to have music spread throughout all of Casa and Rotary Square.”
Other features will include a blacksmith demonstration, hot drinks and snacks, as well as some live Charlie Brown Christmas jazz and hits from The Ventures.
One of the main jobs of the Allied Arts Council, Big Bull notes, is to advance the arts and to help local artists in the area. “We offer every opportunity we can for them to showcase their talents, to get out there in the community and spread their work and to advance their artistic endeavours.”
The two-day event is outside the typical handcraft market.
“A lot of these things are geared towards the holiday season and festive season. A lot of these artists look forward to being a part of this all year long. And it’s one of these things they check on their calendar, and they count on it,” Big Bull says. “And they’re hoping the community comes out to support them.”
According to Big Bull, his job is to get out in the community to spread the word about the local art scene and its artists. “I find more and more community members very excited about it coming up. They plan on this recurring event every single year. It’s grown quite a bit from what I think it initially was. Once upon a time, there were maybe 30 to 40 artists. And now we have artists spread all over throughout the different galleries.”
It’s a multitude of events, including a gallery exhibition, Big Bull adds. “It’s the way to kick off the season coming up to Christmas now, so getting everybody all sparked for that.”
Christmas at Casa runs Friday from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
