Westlock’s annual Community Showcase had one of its most successful nights in years after roughly 300 people came out to check out 49 organizations.
Town of Westlock community services program supervisor Travis Darling said the outpouring of interest for the Sept. 5 event was up considerably from the last few years.
“We also had more of a variety of tables this year as well,” he said. “More individual organizations looking to do some new things in town.”
Tables from groups ranging from Service Canada to the Vrozhay Ukrainian Dancers to the Hope Resource Centre handed out home baked goods, pamphlets and cheer to anyone who came near.
Some groups, such as the Westlock Adult Indoor Soccer league, were testing the waters to see how much interest there was and were not disappointed.
Others, such as the Friends of Tawatinaw Valley and the Town of Westlock Fire Department, walked away with a handful of prospective new volunteers.
A three-month family pass door prize was also awarded to Ashlynn Kraychy.
The annual “mocktail” competition lead to a number of interesting, alcohol-free drinks being enjoyed throughout the evening. In the end, Comex and the Westlock Community Gardens shared the victory prize for best drink.
Darling said the feedback he received from the organizations was overwhelmingly positive.
“They’re very excited to get that attendance number back up again,” he said. “It’s a bit of a cliche, but showcasing the community is the purpose of this event. It’s not a catchy title, it’s the straight up truth.”
