Santa’s Test Run on a one-horse open sleigh

For twelve years, a local family has shared their love of Christmas and horses with folks across
the area. The Myers Family, comprised of Donald and his wife, Lavonne, and their two grown
daughters, Melanie and Reena, have been running an event they call Santa’s Test Run since
2013.
That year, Don had pulled out his buggy and took family and friends out for a ride. “We had just
gotten the horse trained to pull it,” he said. Then they had an idea. What if he dressed up as
Santa on Christmas Eve, went to the service road where Lonira Road meets Highway 43 and
waved at passing vehicles? The decision ended up being a good one.
Reena, who lives in Grande Prairie, was visiting for the holidays when they decided to do it. She
and her sister, on horseback, joined her dad on the buggy, and the trio made their way to the
highway. “It was priceless watching all the people do a double take to ensure they saw it
correctly,” she explained. “It was Christmas Eve, so we waved to everyone travelling that day.
We had a couple of people stop and ask if they could take pictures. We thought it would be fun
to give people a little joy during this time of year.”
The following year, the group decided to do it again, but they decided to give people the chance
to go for a little ride in the buggy this time. Rather than take any money, the Myers crew
fundraised for local organizations like the Whitecourt Food Bank and the Christmas Hamper.
“Our first year doing the actual Test Run, we collected some stuff for the food bank and some
cash, which we donated to the Christmas Hamper. The following years greatly increased in
people attending and donating. We had people asking on Facebook what date it would be
happening,” said Don.
“We like the response from people, which made us decide to continue it every year. Even during
Covid, we had a great response from the public. Even though we had to put some strict
protocols in place,” explained Don.
When asked why he wanted to raise money and goods for local groups, Don said it was all in
how he was raised. “I was taught by my parents to be kind and helpful to people less fortunate
than us. I feel it’s important to recognize all people regardless of their status. We have always
been fortunate to have most things we wanted in life. I have witnessed some dear friends
growing up who were less fortunate than us, and our family always helped them.”
Getting to play the jolly fellow is something that Don looks forward to every year. “It is a great
feeling. I enjoy the looks of the children. I even had one older lady who had never had a buggy
ride, and she was so excited to have one. That’s the feeling I get when someone enjoys what
I’m doing. I think I enjoy it as much as the kids do!”
Melanie said watching her dad dress up as Santa is as much a tradition for her as it is for
others. She even regularly dresses up as Mrs. Claus. “It is so fun as he loves all the children
and the looks of joy they have for Santa. It makes me feel warm inside knowing it makes their
day and is a tradition for them.” She added that celebrating the season in a big way also keeps
the memory of passed family members at the forefront. “This is something our family before
would have loved to do as they all loved this time of year.”

Several years in, Melanie, her mom and sister, and a neighbour started putting together little
ornament crafts and gave them out. “Some people have been coming for a while now and look
forward to the ornament. They collect them. I love seeing the happiness in all the children that
come through and their parents.”
For Reena, coming down for the yearly tradition is a given for her. “I like being part of it so that I
can see the joy on the faces of everyone who gets to go on the ride. One of my favourite parts is
seeing how much fun my dad has with it. It also helps bring my grandfathers, who would have
had so much fun with it, back into our hearts,” she explained.
In the last few years, the group moved Santa’s Test Run to the Blue Ridge Community Centre.
“We teamed up with the Blue Ridge Community League and Library to coordinate with their
Christmas party. It gives people something to do while waiting for the ride, like skating and
crafts. They also supply hotdogs and hot chocolate by the fire pit,” explained Don.
The event normally happens early in December but was sidelined this year due to a big dip in
the thermostat. It was the first year that the Myers family was unable to do Santa’s Test Run in
the way they had been. “Our family is disappointed that we can’t have the event this year. It’s
the first time we haven’t done it since we started. There was one year we had to cancel our
original date, but we made an alternative date work. Unfortunately, this year, we can’t do that.”
Don, Lavonne, Melanie and Reena will miss seeing all the faces and sharing in the Christmas
joy they have grown accustomed to. Don said they are all eager to get back to it next year. “Our
family would like to thank all past, present and future Santa’s Test Run helpers who have helped
us keep this family tradition alive for so many years with such a great response. Merry
Christmas to all!”