By Ezra Black
What better way to beat the January Blahs than by burning a bunch of Christmas trees for charity?
The trees will be ignited Jan. 7 from 4 to 9 p.m. for the second annual Fernie on Fire event. The Fernie Fire Department is being tasked with lighting and managing the blaze.
The bonfire is taking place at the Fernie Aquatic Centre as a fundraiser for the Outdoor Connections Foundation, a non-profit that delivers outdoor education programs.
“I know that they do good work,” said councilor Dennis Schafer. “They provide outdoor education and they keep it affordable for families.”
Schafer said trees should be dropped off outside the Public Works yard at 1492 Railway Ave. between January 2 and January 6. For those unable to make the drop-off, Fernie Fire Rescue will once again be picking up trees curbside on January 7 starting at 8 a.m. or you can just bring your tree to the Aquatic Centre on the day of the event.
“In Fernie after Christmas a lot of people just toss their trees on the side of the road,” said Schafer. “This is a good way to get rid of those Christmas trees instead of having them dry out in your house where there’s a potential for fire hazard.”
Courtney Haeusler, executive director of Outdoor Connections, said the event will include tobogganing, music, a BBQ, street hockey, hot chocolate, roasted bannock and a warm Christmas tree-fueled fire. Residents are being asked to bring sleds and hockey sticks.
It will also feature a raffle where people can enter to win prizes from local businesses. This year’s winners will enjoy a day of cat skiing from Fernie Wilderness Adventures, two fat biking passes from The Guide’s Hut, gift certificates from Straight Line Bicycle and skis and other prizes.
Haeusler explained that Outdoor Connections offers a number of programs to Elk Valley kids using the outdoor environment as a natural teaching tool.
“There are lots of studies that show that the more time a child spends outside, the more they’re able to focus in the indoor environment and classrooms,” she said.
Outdoor Connections offers a number of summer camps for kids of all ages. They also have year-round programming including the Beyond 4 Walls Forest School for kids aged three to five. Through a program called Project Connect, the organization promotes personal development for kids up to Grade 12 by emphasizing self-awareness, acceptance and teamwork.
“Outside there’s more of a chance for kids to take their risks,” she continued. “They have the opportunity to challenge themselves in their own way. They can learn their own boundaries and that’s where they can gain personal growth.”
Haeusler said funds raised from the event will go to purchase a yurt to use as an indoor warming hut for their Forest School and other programs.
“Kids are tough but it would be nice to have a warm space for some of those inclement weather days,” she said.