CORE Association has plenty planned for Friday’s Midnight Madness

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on November 19, 2025.

The CORE Association is gearing up for a busy Friday, between Midnight Madness and a special performance at Medicine Hat College.

CORE has participated in Midnight Madness since its move downtown and is excited to be offering a wide variety of delights for this year’s event, both to celebrate and to raise funds for the organization, says executive director Debbie Shaw.

“We have a bake sale that’ll be happening, people can bring their kids in and get a picture with Santa, and that’s just pay what you will,” said Shaw. “We have taco in a bag. We have hot chocolate and popcorn for sale. Our CORE Kids on the Block Puppet Troupe, they will be singing Christmas carols.”

CORE will also be selling its cash calendars for the coming year for $20, as well as a 50/50 draw with proceeds going to its upcoming home in Southlands designed to be sensory-friendly for those with autism.

CORE is also offering a unique performance away from downtown.

“We also have a concert at the college at (7 p.m.), and it’s ImmanueLights of Lethbridge,” said Shaw. “It’s young people from Lethbridge who volunteer their time, and they put on a performance under the black lights so everything glows in the dark.

“We’re doing that alongside the Medicine Hat College chaplaincy services, so that fundraiser will be splitting the profits from that night for both groups,” said Shaw. “It’s a good fundraiser that raises money for two different organizations.”

Preparations are progressing well for both events, says Shaw, and they look forward to kicking off the Holiday Season with the rest of Medicine Hat.