The Miracle on Mackenzie is a community event created to invite families to the heart of Revelstoke — the downtown core. For many years the focus has been on the shops, the business community, mass appeal and of course — the children in our community. Our committee decided to refocus our efforts on the kids, which made it a lot easier to create a concept that all would enjoy.
The decision to forego the parade was made at an executive level with the board as, over the past several years, the parade hasn’t been well-received by the community and many businesses were too busy, or found it too expensive, to participate with their own float. Even though some businesses were eager to partake, we had to consider the past several years of disappointed onlookers. We would all love to see a parade that is long, wonderful and lit up so brightly that you could see it from space, but the resources simply aren’t there.
With that being said, this doesn’t stop those who want a parade from forming a committee and pounding the pavement to make it happen. In fact, it would be welcomed as the community would have three fun Christmas events to enjoy: Miracle on Mackenzie, Holiday Train, Parade. If any business, Not For Profit or individual wants to take on the task of organizing and creating the parade, it would be embraced with as much assistance as possible from the Chamber of Commerce.
Our committee put our heads together, created a concept that we felt was achievable and could be pulled off with the volunteers, in-kind services and great community givers like Downie Timber, Revelstoke Equipment Rentals, The Revelstoke Arts Council and Revelstoke Credit Union. Without these businesses, this idea would not have gotten far.
Miracle on Mackenzie is truly for the children. It will include Barry Ozero’s amazing horses and sleigh bringing down St. Nicholas and Mrs. Clause arriving by the same carriage. There will be live performances from Elevation Dance Academy, providing another platform for these young dancers to shine in front of the community, as well as performances by Joanne Stacey and the Community Band and Choir. The Secondary School kids will provide fresh baking and of course free coffee & hot chocolate for everyone. This event is about the true meaning of Christmas and a deep, meaningful message to our kids: giving, service to those in need, and coming together as a community. And together, we will light the community tree as well as the Mackenzie core with lights, smiles and a lot of fun.
Volunteerism is down and the volunteers of yesterday want to take their grandchildren to see these events, not put them on. So to keep these traditions alive, it is up to us, the new generation, to step up and take the reins. Miracle on Mackenzie is purely and simply about using what we have at our disposal to create something new and beautiful for the children of Revelstoke. It’s about adding to our holiday traditions together, as a community.
To all the families of Revelstoke — this event is for you. It is for everyone.
Shaun Aquiline is the host of Revelstoke’s EZ Rock FM 106.3
