Community Rallies for Christmas Movie Filmed in Maple Creek, SK

Christmas came early to Maple Creek this past weekend as the town was transformed into a holiday-themed movie set for the filming of A Cowboy Christmas!

More than 200 community members served as enthusiastic extras in the Saskatchewan film, donning their Christmas sweaters and decorating the main street to re-create the town’s annual holiday celebration.

Trilight Entertainment are the production company behind A Cowboy Christmas, which received funding support from Creative Saskatchewan’s Feature Film and TV Production Grant program. The western-romance plans to reach international audiences in time for Christmas 2023.

Maple Creek and surrounding area residents were supportive of the project, which bought a flurry of activity to the region. Jessica Watch, a Producer with Trilight Entertainment, comments on the reception from the community; “The people of Maple Creek really came through for us on this production. They went above and beyond in every aspect to make this production happen and run as smoothly as it did. Every person we met wanted to help, and they all rallied together make this production the best it could be! We could have not achieved as much as we did in this short period of time without the help of everyone here in Maple Creek. They welcomed us with open arms and we could not be more grateful for their help and support! ”

By all accounts, the weekend was a tremendous success, and the production team are elated with how the shots turned out. All were in high spirits well into the evening, especially when hot chocolate and hotdogs were given out in thanks.

In a post online, Cypress Hills – Grasslands Destination Area exclaims “What a neat experience!” referring to the hundreds of local extra all dressed up for the show, “We got a glimpse of the film world as set designers scrambled to make last minute changes, make-up artists added blush and combed some hair, and the directors yelled out things like CUT and back to 1!”

Michelle McKenzie, the Mayor of Maple Creek, recognized the ripple effects of this sort of exposure provides to her community. “I want to welcome A Cowboy Christmas to the community of Maple Creek and thank them for choosing the friendliest town in Saskatchewan,” says the self-proclaimed ‘Rootin’ Tootin’’ Mayor, “The Production showcases the community of Maple Creek, where we get the impossible done with a smile on our faces and a song in our hearts. We welcome any and all upcoming opportunities to share the warmth and wonder of our area.”

In an interview with Maple Creek News, Shane Putzlocher, Trilight Entertainment Producer, was adamant that the film would take place in his home province. Putzlocher was familiar with the town, and felt it would serve as the perfect backdrop for a movie in need of riding horses, a beautiful main street, and classic ranch architecture. “You have a beautiful Main Street there,” said Putzlocher, “[this] would be perfect for us.”

The production team chose to keep the name Maple Creek in the movie, something that’s not common according to Carmen Drapeau, facilitator for A Cowboy Christmas, “They make up names for [towns],” says Drapeau in an interview with Chat News, “This is actually the community. I think it’s amazing and I think it’s going to be great for tourism.”

“The Cypress Hills region is open for business”, said Doug Steel, Cypress Hills MLA. “It is incredibly exciting to see a production filming around Cypress Hills and we know it will generate a positive economic impact across the community. I am looking forward to watching the finished product with my family and constituents this Christmas”.

The historic Reesor Ranch will also serve as a key location for the production. On their Facebook page, Tourism Saskatchewan notes that “For over 100 years and six generations, the Reesor family at the Historic Reesor Ranch Cypress Hills has been preserving the legacy of ranching in western Canada.” This legacy will be showcased on the big screen later this year, as the primary setting of the film.

Stay tuned for updates!