Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/89721
Glad TIDINGS Scenes from the Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market: (top) one of Santa's reindeer says hello; (middle) the market choir; (bottom) a few of the more than 200 vendors selling gifts and crafts. SENTIMENTAL bric-a-brac On the stretch of Nanton's main street that's dotted with curiosity shops, you could easily drive right by the nondescript Keeley Building. But it's worth a second look. The two-storey brick structure, built in 1909 as a hardware store, is nearly as old as the town itself. Today it's home to Sentimental Journey Antiques, one of the largest antique shops in Alberta, if not the Prairies. Owner Terry Dixon has amassed a mind- blowing collection of Shelley china, which she displays amid 12 WESTWORLD >> NOVEMBER 2012 BETWEEN THE MAD DASH to decorate your tree, hang the lights and brave the crowded shopping malls, sometimes you hardly feel like you're having any fun during the holidays. Our prescription? A swig of 'nog and a visit to one of our favourite Alberta Christmas events: Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market presented by Telus, Nov. 16 to 18 and Nov. 23 to 25, Spruce Meadows, Calgary: Here you'll fi nd more than 200 vendors selling gifts and handmade crafts from around the world. Once your money's spent, head outside to the court- yard and take in ice-carving demonstrations and holiday entertainment. sprucemeadows.com Christmas at the Village, Nov. 23 and 24, Pigeon Lake: You don't have to be a wide-eyed, rosy-cheeked kid to enjoy an good old-fashioned hayride at this village celebration. While you're there, check out the nightly fi rework show. Stay overnight at Village Creek Country Inn for more fun, including home decorating demonstrations, yoga and a Christmas gala dinner. www.christmasatthevillage.com Christmas Refl ections, Dec. 6 to 23, Fort Edmonton Park, Edmonton You'll feel like a character from the pages of a turn-of-the-century storybook at Fort Edmonton Park's Christmas Refl ections. Chat with costumed interpreters on 1905 and 1920 streets, tour the park by horse-drawn wagon and make the requisite stop at Reed's Bazaar to buy Christmas decorations. On Dec. 5, AMA members get a sneak peek of the event and save 20 per cent. fortedmontonpark.ca –T.H. Sentimental Journey Antiques owner Terry Dixon set up her Nanton shop in 2000. furnishings, art deco lamp- shades, vintage signs, wooden skis and Western Canadian kitsch. Upstairs, Dixon has fi lled a series of tiny interconnecting rooms and narrow hallways — once apartments used by the Canadian Air Force — with more antiques. Set aside at least a couple of hours to rummage for vintage treasures. sentimentaljourneyantiques.ca –T.H. Spruce Meadows, (bottom) Grant Harder