What a terrific day for Vegreville pre-schoolers at this year’s Reindeer Lane! This was the 4th year that Vegreville Preschool organizations and volunteers came together to have a special event for the 3 and 4 year olds.

It was all about Santa coming to town, each class singing Christmas songs on stage, little ones secretly finding presents for their family (without parents’ help, of course) and Santa’s favorite snack: hot chocolate and cookies! Perogies and Jam was pleased to contribute to the fun through music performances mixed among the five groups of pre-schoolers on stage.

The Vegreville Social Centre was a buzz in the morning, in preparation for the event which started at noon through to 3 pm. Every ½ hour throughout the afternoon, the preschool teacher Miss Chang and her helper Tammy (from the Head Start Program), along with the five preschool classes took to the stage separately to sing their favourite Christmas songs for their parents (and grandparents and great grandparents) and families, including Jingle Bells, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Some of the children were on stage for the very first time!

The event opened with a brief welcoming of the families by Jessica Kotelko, Preschool President, and Don Harfield, Master of Ceremonies for the music performances. This year’s event was held at the Vegreville Social Centre to accommodate the over 250 in attendance and the many activities over the course of the afternoon.

The Fiddlin’ Kiddlins (ages 7 to 11) led by Callina Kirk took to the stage and performed nine pieces. There were five fiddlers (Ava Grykuliak, Roman Kirk, Winnie Lange, Norah Hoyteniuk and Natalya Hoyteniuk) and Callina performing Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Up on the Housetop, Joy to the World, Twinkle Twinkle, Angels We Have Heard on High, Oh Christmas Tree and the Holy and the Ivy.

The Off Ramp Boys with Randy Kereliuk (guitar and lead vocals), Ralph Lange (upright bass, fiddle and mandolin) and Gordon Forbes (lead guitar) are always a crowd pleaser. They performed songs including Alberta Christmas Morning, Jingle Bells, It Started With a Child, and Waiting for Christmas.

Debbie Fedoruk (on acoustic piano) and her singers performed songs including: Tristan Neil (Go Tell it on the Mountain and Christmas Time from A Charlie Brown’s Christmas), Jessica Clough (Sing a Joyful Song and Minka), Brooklynn Dolejsi (Deck the Halls), Julia Dolejsi (Over the River and Through the Woods), and a duet with Brooklynn and Julia (Pat-a-Pan). Debbie Fedoruk concluded the set with It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Shade Clark (on fiddle), accompanied by John Peters (acoustic guitar) and Ralph Lange (upright bass) played several fiddle tunes including Faded Love, Irishman’s Heart for the Ladies, Jack Rabbit Jump and Chinese Breakdown.

Audrey Stefan with Debbie Fedoruk on acoustic piano opened her set with Santa Baby and early rock songs Jingle Bell Rock and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, followed by Marshmallow World and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. With infectious charisma, Audrey invited the young children to join her on the stage for Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer to the delight of the children and their families.

To conclude the music portion of the event, MC Don Harfield (on 12 string acoustic guitar) was joined by Peter Arnold and the Off Ramp Boys for the singing of Christmas favourites including Do You Hear What I Hear, Jingle Bells, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, White Christmas and closing with We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Reindeer Lane is becoming a local tradition leading up to Christmas! We are blessed with so many caring groups and individuals to brighten the Christmas for the preschoolers and make the event successful. This event was the result of the collaboration of the Vegreville Preschool Association, Parent Link Center, Vegreville Day Homes, Family and Community Social Services and the Community Association for Lasting Success along with the financial support of Royal Park Rentals and Flaman Rentals.

Perogies and Jam thanks the many volunteers for their contribution to making this so much fun and contributing to the community. We appreciate the photography by Anna Tomyn and others to capture the event digitally – Thanks!

Take a look at the photos as we hope you will find yourself there!