The little old drivers so lively and quick who whistled and softly called to their Clydesdales as they trotted down Perron Street Friday evening marked the beginning of the one-day Snowflake Festival.
"Hey! Come on now! Here we go!" a driver called and behind him, five more wagon masters and another series of whistles attracted the attention of the scores of families who hurried behind them.
Soon everyone – as many as 5,000 people if the chamber of commerce estimates are correct – were gathered to watch the traditional lighting of the tree in front of the St. Albert Community Hall.
"Is that Santa?" a tiny child sitting on his father's shoulders asked. "Is Santa Claus here?"
Everyone was hoping that St. Nicholas soon would be there and somewhat magically there he stood in his jolly red suit at the foot of the horse wagon that held Mayor Nolan Crouse and his fellow council members.
"Make space for Santa!" the mayor called. "Make space for Santa!"
Unfortunately Santa had quite a time pulling himself up on the wagon and he needed a hoist from the mayor. But suit just slightly awry, Santa stood before the crowd, a welcome festive spirit at the ceremony.
"Santa should have a step," the same small child said.
Crouse led the audience in an ear-splitting countdown to light the tree and his voice reverberated against the community hall. The mike was tuned a bit high so folks nearby covered their ears.
"Someone should turn that guy down," one mother cried.
But the lights went on and immediately a queue formed under the shepherding direction of members of St. Albert 533 Sabre Air Cadet Squadron.
"We just help out every year. I love it, but it gets cold," said Flight Sgt. Jennifer Lynn, as she tried to direct the gathered youngsters away from trampling the snow-covered hedge that surrounds the community hall.
Then in a twinkling, not unlike dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, the 5,000 dispersed. Some headed for St. Albert Place to watch the goings on there, others wandered down the street to play road hockey, while still others followed the horses to St. Thomas Street.
Throughout the evening the line-up for the wagon rides was consistently about a block long and led all the way back to Perron Street.
"How long Daddy?" a child asked. "We have to wait our turn" was the answer.
With six wagons prancing their way up and down the Perron Business District, most families only stood in line for about 10 minutes.
The wind that plagued the city earlier Friday afternoon had died down and the weather was quite pleasant. Moms and dads, who for the most part wore woollen ski hats and light jackets hurried to different venues, with their frosty-nosed children warmly bundled inside baby buggies built for two.
Such a clatter
Everyone stopped for a peek at the live reindeer.
The reindeer, which had beards under their mouths and impressive sets of antlers, didn't seem in a Christmassy mood as they territorially locked horns once or twice. They seemed to be protecting the turf around their hay bundles, but the added action seemed only to add to the thrill.
"Are those Santa's reindeer?" a small hushed voice asked.
Nestled beside him, snugly and warm in his buggy, a smaller brother was nodding and falling asleep.
"We only just got started and he's tired already," his father said. "I don't think he'll make it until we see Santa."
Inside St. Albert Place the United Church Bell Ringers were playing. Right behind them, by the elevators, cookie and popcorn munching youngsters sat on the floor and watched cartoons provided by Grandin Theatres.
Strangely the noises didn't interfere with each other unless you stood right between the two and so as the older adults listened to the church choir, the kids were happy to take off their snowsuits and watch the films for a minute.
All the while Special Olympian ambassadors Cheri Lefebvre, Phil Zuk and Amanda Scott handed out tattoos and cookies to one and all.
Fire reigns
The sounds of amplified music drew the crowd outside again as St., Albert resident Eric Huang, who goes by the professional name of Reign of Fire, lit up the night with his batons.
First he lit one end of the baton, and then he thrust one hand into the flame and lit the other end giving the lustre of mid-day to the faces of the crowd of oohing families gathered before him.
He touched his hand to the ground too, and a circle of blue flame surrounded him.
Later Huang, who is an occupational therapist, explained that he decided to teach himself how to juggle flame after a trip to Thailand.
"I'm a therapist by day and a fire dancer by night," he said.
The performance finished, he doused the flames with snow. Huang put on a jacket and quickly grabbed something that looked like a bandage.
"Did you burn your hands?" he was asked.
"No!" the fire juggler said with a small laugh. "These are hand warmers."
Always jolly
Back at the community hall, families who had made the circuit came back to see if there was a break in the Santa lineup.
The Snowflake Festival ran from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and Santa's dimpled face stayed merry throughout, and into overtime.
"That was the longest line-up, but Santa stayed until 9:30 so he could see all the kids," said Debbie Grant, event manager for the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce.
Strangely no one saw Santa drive out of sight, but in the distance a quiet whistle was heard.
"Hey! Come on now! Let's go!" And the Clydesdales and Santa were gone like the down of a thistle.
