Holly Jolly Festival a celebration of Christmas spirit

Tim Brody - Editor

“Just hoping to provide something Christmassy and get everyone in the Christmas spirit for the holidays.”
That’s how Shawn Hordy described this year’s Holly Jolly Fest, a communal Christmas celebration presented by Sioux North Nigh School on Dec. 3 at the school.
Hordy, along with Nicole Carbone, are staff mentors to the school’s Student Council, who put on the event.
This year’s event builds upon the Festival of Trees the school held last year. Hordy said the idea was to host a multitude of Christmas themed events under one roof on the same day for the enjoyment of the community.
The Holly Jolly Festival included pictures with Santa Claus, a community yard sale, a bake sale, kids crafts, hot chocolate, an opportunity to meet members of the Sioux Lookout Bombers, and a Festival of Trees decorated by local businesses.
Admission was by cash donation. The event was a fundraiser for this year’s prom.
“It has gone remarkably smoothly. It’s been great. We had, I would say, in the first two hours there was probably well over 200 people, and throughout the day I bet there was over 500 people who stopped in,” Hordy commented.
Fourteen local businesses decorated Christmas trees for the event and 15 vendors took part in the yard and bake sale.
Hordy said it was extra special to have Santa Claus take time out of his busy schedule to be part of the event, “It makes the event. All the happy faces and everyone so excited to see him.”
Hordy thanked everyone who participated in, contributed to, or visited the event.