The Night Before Christmas StoryWalk begins at the Esplanade. (CHAT News Photo/Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

StoryWalk up now

Walk through downtown and The Night Before Christmas

Dec 14, 2020 | 4:58 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A downtown StoryWalk can get you into the spirit of The Night Before Christmas this week and keep you in the spirit into 2021.

The Esplanade, the Medicine Hat Public Library, Police Point Park and 14 downtown businesses will help you rediscover the classic story The Night Before Christmas.

In this case, the story has been re-imagined from the perspective of mice by Canadian author and illustrator Barbara Reid.

“We really had to think outside the box to bring meaningful experiences to the public right now with the current pandemic,” says Candace Lundrigan, cultural public programmer with the City of Medicine Hat. “We wanted to bring some holiday cheer and we really had to think about how we could do that in a safe manner. So having the outdoor walking component, exploring downtown with your household was the safest manner we could do so and still provide an opportunity to create meaningful memories.”

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As the story progresses, walkers will stroll through downtown where they can browse and shop in the local stores or grab a takeout beverage to stay warm.

Some of the participating businesses include Issac’s Barber Shop, Del Rossi Men’s Wear and Station Coffee Company.

“Our downtown has a real sense of place, it has a real character. And I see some Christmas displays in the different windows and I think we’ve all explored downtown and taken in those scenes throughout the holidays,” said Lundrigan. “And now you also get to read The Night Before Christmas while you do so with 14 other participating downtown locations. You can read the story book with your family as you walk around downtown and take in some of those sights.”

She says all 14 participating locations were quick to jump on board when the opportunity was presented and that getting people downtown should be a boost for the businesses.

This StoryWalk will last until Jan. 7 and Police Point Park often has other StoryWalks throughout the year.