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New Year’s Eve tradition brought back to life

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Maple Creek

A tradition that started over a century ago is being revived this New Year’s Eve.

The Commercial Hotel will be hosting a huge New Year’s Eve party at the Armoury.

It’s been decades since a New Year’s Eve party of this size has been held in the community. But it was all part of Maple Creek’s tradition in the town’s early years. The New Year’s Eve Foresters Ball was held at the Commercial Hotel in the 1890s, and the Grand Theatre also hosted New Year’s Eve balls in the early 1900s.

The Commercial Hotel is bringing back this tradition by ringing in the new year in a ‘Roaring 1920s’ style celebration.

The owners were inspired to hold the huge party after hearing from an employee how the community ball was always looked forward to on New Year’s Eve.

Myrna Widmer who works in the Commercial Hotel dining room remembers the balls held in the 1980s at the Armoury, where everyone dressed up and had a good time.

“They had a live band and a dance and the Armouries would be full,” she recalled. “Everybody from town went – young and old.”

She told the hotel’s owners one day that it was a shame no one put on the huge community party anymore, and the idea started coming together.

“People had so much fun, and we want to bring that back,” explained Cheng Lim, one of the hotel’s owners. “After our first year, now it’s time to give a really big party for the town.”

Guests are encouraged to look the part and dress in 1920s attire.

“They can come in costume or whatever attire they want to,” she said.

Music during the evening will include remakes of modern music in 1920s style.

“It could be One Direction songs, Beyonce, Rhianna, all sung with a 1920s tune,” said Lim’s husband Noy.

The menu will be comprised of an appetizer buffet, featuring ‘Great Gatsby’ crab-stuffed mushrooms with Parmesan cheese, a main course featuring prime rib and dessert. Cocktails will start at 6 p.m., with supper at 7 p.m. The dance will follow at 10 p.m.

Early bird tickets are available for $40 until Dec. 24 and can be purchased at the Commercial Hotel bar, Howard’s Bakery, Pharmasave and the Visitors Centre. Advance tickets will be available for $50 until Dec. 28. Admission to just the dance is $15 at the door. Transportation home will be available.

The Armoury won’t be the only place for a rocking New Year’s Eve. The Rockin’ Horse will also be sending off 2014 with a bang and ringing in the new year with one great night with its feast of steak ‘n’ lobster.

The menu is ‘a la carte,’ allowing guests to pick what they wish in lieu of planned courses. The regular menu will be available as well. The New Year’s Eve featured appetizer is mussels simmered in white wine sauce and served piping hot with garlic crostini. The main course is steak ‘n’ lobster, a six-ounce baked East Coast lobster tail with a six-ounce AAA Canadian bacon-wrapped filet mignon, seasoned just right and cooked over hot coals, served with fresh veggies, drawn butter and garlic and cheddar mashed potatoes. The feature dessert is sticky toffee pudding, with fresh house-made butterscotch sauce.

Singer-songwriter JR Louis will be entertaining guests throughout the evening, starting around 6 p.m. and playing until closing.

Stop in for a delicious meal and stay for the Friends of the Horse New Year’s Eve Party! There will be drink specials all night long, Wii bowling and board games. Just before midnight, bubbly champagne, party hats and noise makers will be handed out for the count down to midnight. For those who manage to stay past midnight, there will be after-midnight snacks.

Owners Laurie Leigh and Ralph Saemann and The Rockin’ Horse staff always throw a good party! To make a reservation, call 306-662-2430 or leave a message on The Rockin’ Horse’s Facebook page.

The Jasper Hotel will also be a hopping place on New Year’s Eve. It will have live music for the big night in its renovated and nearly doubled space. Shuttle services home will be available.

Send off 2014 in style and make some memories this New Year’s Eve!

Share and Enjoy !

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