The month of November is wrapping up which means the Holiday season is right around the corner with a ton of events taking place around the Town of Cochrane to get you in the Christmas spirit. DECEMBER 1 AND 2 There are a pair of events taking place on Dec. 1. Starting at 8 a.m. and finishing at 5 p.m. is the second annual Cochrane Christmas Craft and Gift Market at Killarney's Family Pub. It's a casual relaxed event, where market goers can hang out and enjoy local food, local beer or mulled wine. They'll have children’s craft activities for children as well. This event will be free for the public to attend, but there are a limited amount of V. I. P. Tickets to give away, which provide food discounts and fun door prizes. Later in the day is the Kids Christmas Shopping event at Cochrane Home Treasures. Volunteers will help children aged 12 and under select up to five Christmas gifts for a $5 donation per child while a surprise guest will put a smile on everybody's faces. All donations will support the Home Treasures Christmas Wish Program. On Dec. 2 through until Dec. 28, the Cochrane Festival of Trees hosted by the Cochrane Lioness Club will go at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be story time and crafts, photos and public skating with Santa. Trees will be on display until Dec. 29 so stop by to vote for your favourite. People are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or new unwrapped toy for the Activettes Share Your Christmas Campaign. DECEMBER 8 AND 9 There will be three events taking place on Dec. 8. Kicking off the day will be Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Boys and Girls Club. There will be hot chocolate, Christmas-themed crafts and games, selfies with Santa, and special guest Mrs. Claus. Cost is $5 per person or $20 per family of four or more. Going on around the same time from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be the Cochrane Christmas Farmers' Market at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre. It's a free admission event which will also be taking place the following day. Wrapping up the evening will be the Christmas Parade of Lights from 5 to 7 p.m. Cochrane Light Up will be holding its first traditional parade, picking up where the Santa Claus Parade ended. Anyone looking to enter a float in the Parade of Lights or volunteer should contact [email protected]. DECEMBER 15 AND 18 On Dec. 15, the Stuff a Bus event in support of the Cochrane Activettes is taking place in the Canadian Tire Parking Lot from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Then ,on the Dec. 18, the Cochrane Music Society will present its annual Christmas concert called Music of Christmas. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Bow Valley Baptist Church. DECEMBER 31 Martin Parnell’s Annual Run and Walk will take place on Dec. 31 at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Registration is on site, beginning at 8 a.m. There will be a marathon, half marathon, 10 km, 5 km, and 2 km all taking place along the stunning Bow River.
