Moose Jaw’s firefighters are making preparations for the upcoming 2024 Magic Variety Show, which will take place at the Mae Wilson Theatre starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
The event is an annual tradition going back more than 20 years and proceeds from the show help support the Provincial Burn and Charity Fund on behalf of the Moose Jaw Fire Department.
The show is a family-friendly event geared toward younger children. “I’ve been to the show numerous times through volunteering and the kids just absolutely love all the magic tricks that go on,” said Cody Rosnes, a Moose Jaw firefighter who now oversees the department’s charity fund.
This year’s show will feature comedy hypnotist Corrie J, and Magic Ben, a semi-finalist on the hit television series "Canada’s Got Talent". In previous shows, performers have included Trevor and Lorena Watters, and magician Michael Dardant, who jokingly used the hashtag #NotThatMagicMike.
Support for the Provincial Burn and Charity Fund marks the fire department’s largest charitable donation each year.
“The Provincial Burn Fund helps with burn victims throughout the province. With a burn comes a lot of medical care, overnight stays, travel, and any sort of other challenges that might come with that and have costs,” explained Rosnes. “Whatever we don’t use there we spread (across) other community organizations throughout the year.”
There’s no specific target for the dollar amount each year, but Rosnes said the firefighter’s efforts typically see between $6,000 and $8,000 raised.
“When an event comes up that we support, someone brings it to a meeting, we vote on it, and if it goes through, we make a donation.”
These additional donations are made throughout the year and have included Cystic Fibrosis Canada and Tim Horton’s Camp Day, which has helped give more than 315,000 young people a meaningful camping experience since the program began in 1974.
Firefighters personally distribute the majority of tickets for the magic show, with visits to local schools set to begin in the upcoming week.
“We get donations from throughout the community, and we use that to basically buy the tickets and give them away… for kids that might not be able to afford a ticket to the magic show,” said Rosnes. “Most people who go will be given a ticket from us.”
Tickets are available to purchase right up to the start of the show and cost $50 for a family pass with individual tickets selling for $18. He said you’re not necessarily buying a ticket for yourself; you’re buying a ticket for someone (else). “Through that donation, someone is going to get a ticket."
There should be a guest appearance by everyone’s favourite mascot, Sparky, and it should be a very fun night.
“We’re looking forward to seeing everybody (there at the show),” said Rosnes.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Mae Wilson Theatre’s website at MooseJawCulture.ca.
The Mae Wilson Theatre is located at 217 Main Street North and the box office can be reached at 306-693-4700.
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