On Nov. 15, Olympic Plaza will be alive with holiday celebrations for the second annual Season of Wonder. Children will be treated to ice sculpture competitions, arts and crafts, and plenty of hot chocolate. But the highlight of the afternoon will be The Young Canadians and the Calgary Stampede Showband ushering in Santa Claus Stampede-style.

“It will be a spectacular production featuring 325 cast members performing songs of the season, holiday fireworks and the official welcome of Santa to the city," says Bill Avery, director and producer of the show. “Season of Wonder takes the Calgary Stampede into the community to unleash the magic of the season through the students of our amazing youth programs.”

Stampede Royalty, 4-H members and a parade of mascots will also be part of the show.

Putting on a production of this magnitude takes incredible preparation and supplies. The students rehearse for 250 hours and over 30 employees and 20 parent volunteers coordinate the transportation, feeding, and show production. The parent volunteers also contribute 600 hours sewing costumes and further assisting in the wardrobe department.

The Calgary Stampede, together with the Calgary Stampede Foundation, invests $2 million annually into its 12 youth and education programs, including The Young Canadians School for Performing Arts and the Calgary Stampede Showband.

This free family event will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15 with the spectacular Olympic Plaza stage show beginning at 4:30 p.m.