Story:It seems the kids of Westman are in for a few treats this winter. Not only has the big guy from the North Pole made his way down to our community for the Santa Claus Parade, but now we are also welcoming the most beloved children’s entertainer of all time to the Wheat City. So grab your lunch box and pack your sandwiches because Fred Penner is coming to town! Westman Entertainment Group Inc, a non-profit organization, has arranged two concerts on Monday, Dec. 7 for children aged Kindergarten to Grade 3.

I plan on kidnapping my best friend’s son for the day as my “in” for the concert because at 28 I am still a huge Fred Penner fan. I know that I am not alone in this. I come from the Fred Penner generation. Fred Penner’s Place began airing on CBC in 1985 and let me tell you, as a three year-old you couldn’t find me anyone cooler than Fred Penner. Maybe it’s the fact that Fred and I have the same birthday (it’s Nov. 6 just in case you are planning on sending either of us a birthday card) or perhaps it’s because I was lucky enough to spend a day on the set when I was five. Yes, I actually got to climb through that magic log and met the man himself and at that time, trust me, there was no greater moment in my life. That’s the kind of entertainer Fred Penner is. He connects with his audiences at any age and makes everyone feel like there is truly a bit of magic in the air when he performs.

Fred Penner will be gaining a new generation of fans Dec 7. There are two one-hour performances — the first at 10:30 a.m and the second at 1 p.m. The show takes place at Central United Church at 327 Eighth Street. Tickets are $20 and include a kid’s meal lunch provided by Boston Pizza as well as a play at Playtime Entertainment. Net proceeds from the event will be donated to the Literacy Council in Westman. Only 200 tickets will be sold per show so I suggest getting them early. They are available at Boston Pizza at Twelfth and Richmond, 725-3661 or at Westman Entertainment Group Inc: 710 Third Street 725-4834 Ext 3.

This is an excellent opportunity for the youth in the Brandon area. And thanks to the Westman Entertainment Group, it won’t be the only one. It is a relatively new organization and its No. 1 goal being is to promote “the social and economic advancement of the residents of the Western Manitoba region, primarily those under 30 years of age.” Westman Entertainment Group has arranged a few other concerts but this will be its first children’s show. They have a pretty huge announcement for March of 2010. It appears they have somehow managed to get the biggest band for anyone under the age of five to come to Brandon. The DOODLEBOPS will be playing in Brandon March of 2010. So keep checking with Westman Entertainment Group and of course reading the Westman Journal for more information as I am sure that show will be a sellout. For now I’m going to sharpen up on my “Cat Came Back,” “Sandwiches,” and “Favourite Things” lyrics before Dec. 7.