Local businesses are staying open later on Friday as part of the Moonlight Madness campaign. (Facebook/Meadow Lake & District Chamber of Commerce)

By Elliott Knopp

Moonlight Madness

Moonlight Madness sweeping over Meadow Lake

Nov 19, 2021 | 2:38 PM

On the same day an extraordinary lunar eclipse hovered over the world, Meadow Lake businesses began preparing for another rare event.

The Meadow Lake & District Chamber of Commerce announced the Moonlight Madness event would take place on Friday, Nov. 19. During the occasion, local businesses and amenities stay open later than usual and offer free programming.

In an interview with meadowlakeNOW, chamber administrator Trevor Dignean explained the costs of free programming are partially covered by grants acquired by the chamber throughout the year.

He also mentioned he hopes people will capitalize on this opportunity and enjoy some of the activities that may not be accessible to everyone throughout the year.

“Hopefully it creates a little bit of excitement for people to get out and do these different things,” he said.

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“Luxuries are a tougher thing to pay for in these times, and hopefully it impacts people that normally wouldn’t go and do these things to get out and do them.”

Local businesses are staying open later on Friday as part of the Moonlight Madness campaign. (Facebook/Meadow Lake & District Chamber of Commerce)

The first slate of free activities begins at 5 p.m. with free public swimming at the Meadow Lake Aquatic Centre. Public swimming is available from 5 – 6:30 p.m., and again at 6:45 – 8:15 p.m.

Over at Aurora Cinemas, free admission is being provided to the first 50 guests to attend a movie of their choosing. Ghostbusters Afterlife is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m., and Marvel Studios’ Eternals begins at 7:30 p.m.

In Flying Dust First Nation, the Meadow Lake Broncos face off against the Paradise Hill Hawks at 8:30 p.m. Admission will be forfeited to the first 50 people to arrive.

Several local businesses will also partake in the action, operating until various times throughout the night.

Eatery on Main Owner Kassidy Dunsing said the event gives the community a chance to come together during the winter season and support local businesses before holiday shopping in bigger cities begins.

With her business being closed in the evenings over the last two months, she mentioned some of her clientele has made a point of securing their seats and orders ahead of time so they don’t miss out.

“We’re super excited that it’s here. It’s always something that is anticipated and looked forward to from the community,” she said.

“It’s nice to see that people have missed it, are looking forward to it and are planning it in advance. It makes me happy to see that it’s obviously worth staying open, but also to let our customers join us for supper like they do for lunch, or maybe can’t for lunch.”

Eatery on Main and Home Hardware will remain open until 8 p.m.

Guests are welcomed inside of Martodams, Giant Tiger, Red Apple and The Shop up to 9 p.m., while Kingdom Golf Inc. and Snipe and Celly Pro Shop will operate until 10 p.m. and midnight, respectively.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp