Nicholas L. M. Allen
Sept 11, 2024
The event will feature the lighting of a pig instead of a Christmas tree, followed by caroling and a
lively square dance, accompanied by the Second String Fiddlers.
Pat Rypien has been hard at work organizing an upcoming event she hopes will bring the Crowsnest Pass community together for a night of fun and fundraising.
The event, Redneck Christmas, is set to take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Polish Hall in downtown Coleman, and promises a unique blend of festive entertainment and local talent. Rypien said she hopes the event will get people in the mood for the holidays.
Presented by the Red Ravens Theatre Group and sponsored by the Crowsnest Cultural and Recreation Society, the Redneck Christmas event is designed to raise funds for the Roxy Project, a local initiative to revitalize the Roxy Theatre.
Tickets, which will go on sale in mid-October, will be available at Copy Magic for $20 for adults and $5 for children.
“The Red Ravens will perform a fun little play called ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Red-neck Style,’ featuring local actors and kids,” Rypien said, “We’re really looking forward to that part of the evening.”
In true “redneck” fashion, the event will feature the lighting of a pig instead of a Christmas tree, followed by caroling and a lively square dance, accompanied by the Second String Fiddlers.
The evening will also include a variety of festive treats and food for sale, including tacos in a bag, hot chocolate, and homemade sugar cookies donated by a local supporter.
“We’ll be selling cookies and hot chocolate for around five bucks,” Rypien explained, though she noted some details of the food pricing are still being finalized.
In addition to the entertainment, local businesses have been invited to create and donate Christmas wreaths for auction to help raise further funds for the Roxy Project. Rypien is also excited about a special contribution from a local artist, who will be decorating a violin to auction or raffle at the event.
“I haven’t decided yet whether to auction or raffle it because her work is so valuable, but it will definitely be part of the event,” she said.
Rypien hopes that Redneck Christmas will serve as both a festive occasion and a reminder of the ongoing work to restore the Roxy Theatre.
“The spirit of Christmas, having fun, and promoting the Roxy Project – that’s what this event is about,” she said.
With tickets expected to sell quickly and the Polish Hall’s capacity limited to 200, Rypien is optimistic that the event will be a success.
“I hope we have the problem of selling out,” she said, “That would be a good problem to have.”