For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Langdon Community Association (LCA) has announced the return of Hobby Days, a monthly event that provides a space for local artisans and crafters in Langdon to work on their chosen creative pursuits.
The event, which began approximately six years ago, typically runs during the last weekend of each month in the fall, winter, and spring, and provides an open space and a table for participants to work on their hobbies or projects at the Langdon Field House.
According to Chrissy Craig, chair of the LCA, Hobby Days provide residents an opportunity to mingle and work on their favourite pastimes in a space other than their own home, which for many is not a conducive environment to getting their creative juices flowing.
“You bring your hobby, and you get to do it without all the distractions in your life of everything else,” Craig said. She added some participants homes are too busy or cluttered for them to work on their hobbies there.
While participants are mostly women, Craig said there are a few men who attend the open hobby days, too.
“There’s some gentlemen there but it's mostly ladies – they come and chat while they’re all working on different things,” she said, adding some of the activities participants engage in include scrapbooking, sewing, painting, and knitting.
She said the event gives residents the chance to connect with like-minded people who share their interests, while also giving them some time to focus on themselves.
“We have mostly families in Langdon and so [residents are] running with kids and this is time for them to sit and do something they enjoy for themselves,” she said.
Craig said the Langdon Field House is open for bookings on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the option for participants to come and go within those hours as they please.
“If you want to come for two or three hours, you can,” she said. “If you have something, you can come and go, but you can leave your stuff there and you don’t have to worry about packing it up and anybody getting into it – it's just nice to have that.”
Attendees may choose to book the whole weekend for $50 or select individual dates for the following prices: $10 for Friday night, $30 for Saturday (including a dinner) or $25 without dinner, and $15 for Sunday.
In compliance with the Alberta governmetn's Restriction Exemption Program (REP) all interested participants are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result within the last 72 hours prior to entering the fieldhouse.
Carmen Cundy, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy
