Season’s cheer arrives at Brandon airport
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/12/2018 (2589 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Surprised guests arriving at the Brandon Municipal Airport Friday were greeted by Christmas carolers and Tim Hortons employees bearing gifts of holiday cheer.
Waiting in secret for an incoming WestJet flight from Calgary, local Tim Hortons employees from Brandon, Virden and Neepawa, along with Neelin High School carolers, Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest and Mr. and Mrs. Claus gathered in the lobby of the airport, ready to surprise arriving passengers with presents and an infectious holiday cheer.
Passengers had no idea what was awaiting them when they landed.
“Today’s about celebrating at Christmas,” said one of the organizers and local Tim Hortons franchisee Rhonda Pardy. “We wanted to welcome everyone to our fabulous community of Brandon.”
Wanting to celebrate the season with her team, the organizers have been as busy as the elves in Santa’s workshop, working to bring the Christmas surprise together over the past month.
It was important to have the opportunity to host a special event and spread warm wishes to the community, Pardy said.
“We just wanted to give back to our community, have some fun and make them feel special.”
Marking the first time Brandon has seen an event of this nature, Pardy promises it will not be the last.
“It was a exciting and different way to say welcome to Brandon,” Tim Hortons franchisee Greg Crisanti said.
“Seeing the surprised look of passengers coming into the airport being greeted by carolers, Santa and a ton of presents really put you in the holiday spirit.”
Arriving home to Brandon from Fort Lauderdale, FL. via Calgary, Gayle Stead was thrilled with the holiday celebration that greeted her when she landed.
“It was unbelievable, I was shocked… It was super sweet,” Stead said.
Finding the event joyously overwhelming, Stead said her Christmas spirit had been buoyed.
“It was wonderful, the gifts just kept coming,” Stead said.
Already happy to be home, the event made her day a little more special.
Stead said that on the plane she spoke to another passenger about the joy having someone greet you at the airport, something she didn’t have this year.
Finding the festive greeters upon arrival felt serendipitous.
“It’s nice when you have people here to meet you,” Stead said.
Lee Allan Ruff and his son Mavryk, 1, were on hand for the event ,arriving in town to visit with family.
Growing up in Minnedosa, Ruff was blown away by the warm Christmas greeting.
Never experiencing anything like the surprise Tim Hortons greeting in a small airport like Brandon, Ruff said it was a welcomed and exciting surprise.
“I couldn’t believe the welcoming committee.”
» ckemp@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp