BHP Enchanted Forest draws record crowd

The BHP Enchanted Forest put a record number of people into the holiday spirit this Christmas season.

Organizers say 93,440 visitors took in the display at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm from Nov. 18 through this past Sunday, setting an attendance record during the event’s 25th anniversary. The previous record of 92,000 was set during the 2020-21 show.

In a release, organizers say the event benefited from the lack of snow and the above-average temperatures Saskatoon experienced over the holidays.

As well, the drive-thru route was expanded and three new light displays — the BHP Christmas Around the Globe, the Tunnel of Lights and the Prairie Portraits — were added this year. Two Saskatchewan Blue Cross Light Walks also were added when the show began in November.

Proceeds from the Enchanted Forest are split between the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation and Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.