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Rural community preps for return of winter solstice celebration

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The Hastings Lake Winter Solstice event is being revived this year in hopes it will return as an annual mainstay.

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The event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14 at Hastings Lake Hall on Range Road 204, off Highway 14.

“It started around 2002 and was a bit small featuring recorder groups playing, but then I took it over and brought in a variety concert until 2016,” explained Colin Bonneau, director of the 2019 Winter Solstice at Hastings Lake. “It became the most well-attended event that Hastings Hall had when the change was made, but then I didn’t do it for a couple of years and I’ve now decided to come back and bring back the show.”

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Running from 6 to 9 p.m., this year’s will be filled with fun for the entire family.

“There will be a seven-piece swing band named Panache this year, which I play keyboard in. Panache opened this year’s Patio Series at Festival Place and some residents may recognize us,” he said. “The other group is called the Beaver Hill Brass Quintet and I play the tuba in that group.”

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It will be a very entertaining show from both the bands and will feature a mix of music.

“There will be Christmas music, secular music, all very upbeat and there will even be some instrumental duets with piano and saxophone,” he said. “There will also be lots of carolling, which is always fun for the audience.”

The event is completely free but donations are appreciated and will go to the performers.

Anyone planning to attend is encouraged to bring some snack foods, which will be placed on a big table and shared with anyone who attends like a potluck.

“We’ve expecting at least 100 people this year and hope to see the facility fill up,” he said, adding it is a great event for the entire family.

Bonneau also encourages those planning to attend to dress warm because they will also have some outdoor activities to enjoy the winter solstice, including a big bonfire as long as the weather cooperates.

“The real solstice is on Dec. 21, but school is out and people are so busy at that time so we always do it the Saturday before,” he said.

Bonneau said he hopes this year’s event is well attended and the Hastings Lake Winter Solstice becomes an annual tradition for the community again.

tdosser@postmedia.com

twitter.com/travisdosser

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