A leading Indigenous dance company, Dancers of Damelahamid is bringing their latest production "Raven Mother" to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough for one night only at 7:30 p.m. on November 26, 2024. Described by Public Energy Performing Arts as the company's "most ambitious production" to date and marking their first performance in Peterborough, "Raven Mother" combines movement, song, regalia, sculpture, and design in honour of the company's late co-founder, Cree Elder Margaret Harris. (Photo: Michael Slobodian)
Public Energy Performing Arts is bringing one of Canada’s leading Indigenous dance companies to Peterborough/Nogojiwanong for the first time on Tuesday (November 26).
A Vancouver-based Gitxsan and Cree dance company, Dancers of Damelahamid will be at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre at 7:30 p.m. for a one-night-only performance as part of a four-city tour for their latest production, Raven Mother.
“Raven Mother speaks to our current realities, drawing from a rich lineage of teachings and insights,” reads a media release from Public Energy.
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Founded in 1967, Dancers of Damelahamid is known for work that blends Indigenous dance forms and regalia with modern projections and technologies. This balance is exemplified in Raven Mother, which is a culmination of generations of art and culture and is rich with details that pay homage to tradition and the people who have come before.
Having recently premiered in Vancouver, Raven Mother honours the late co-founder of the intergenerational company, Elder Margaret Harris, who passed away in 2020.
A respected Cree Elder from northern Manitoba, she spent much of her life on the northwest coast of British Columbia with her husband Chief Kenneth Harris, a former Gitxsan chief with whom she founded Dancers of Damelahamid.
The Dancers of Damelahamid created “Raven Mother” to honour the late Elder Margaret Harris (1931-2020). A respected Cree Elder from northern Manitoba, she spent much of her life on the northwest coast of British Columbia with her husband Chief Kenneth Harris, a former Gitxsan chief with whom she founded Dancers of Damelahamid. Kenneth and Margaret Harris were recognized for the impact that they had in Indigenous performing arts, receiving the Centennial Medal from Queen Elizabeth in 1967 and the Golden Jubilee Medal from British Columbia’s Lieutenant Governor in 2003, and were inducted into the National Dance Collection Danse (DCD) Hall of Fame in 2019. (Photo courtesy of Dancers of Damelahamid)
Through the company and beyond, Elder Harris dedicated her life to the revitalization and teachings of Indigenous cultural practices, including song, dance, stories, and regalia making.
Raven Mother illustrates the impact of Elder Harris and the integral role of women in holding cultural knowledge. Labelled by Public Energy as the Dancers of Damelahamid’s “most ambitious production to date,” Raven Mother interweaves movement, song, regalia, sculpture, and design with the narrative.
“It celebrates our mothers who created the stronghold of these art forms and influenced the next generation of women,” the release states. “Raven Mother illuminates the profound leadership of our mothers, their essential contribution in this resurgence, and the force and transformation of this awakening.”
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While the choreography will captivate audiences, it’s the intentional, minor details throughout the production that embody the messaging. For example, the musical score by By Raven Grenier and Ted Hamilton features songs in the endangered northwestern language of Gitxsanimx, set against an ethereal soundscape.
The show also includes intricate transformation masks that open to reveal more masks. The masks, created by Andy Grenier under the mentorship of master carver David A. Boxley, were specifically made for the show to symbolize the intergenerational transfer of knowledge.
Rounding out the wardrobe, fashion designer Rebecca Baker-Grenier has designed an elaborate array of regalia including a feathered Raven cloak, a traditional Gitxsan piece that has not been seen in performance for generations.
“Raven Mother” by Vancouver-based Indigenous dance company Dancers of Damelahamid features intricate transformation masks that open to reveal more masks. Created by Andy Grenier under the mentorship of master carver David A. Boxley, the masks represent the intergenerational transfer of knowledge. The new full-length production recently premiered in Vancouver and will be coming to Peterborough’s Market Hall Performing Arts Centre at 7:30 p.m. on November 26, 2024. (Photo: Michael Slobodian)
Public Energy notes that through a manifestation in various forms, the Raven crest embodies “transformation, the strengthening of culture, the unveiling of a new spirit, and breathing life into a promise made to the children of generations to come.”
Through the blend of culture and transformation, Raven Mother not only pays respect to those who have come before but inspires the next generation to continue to build on tradition.
“Raven Mother is a tangible remembrance of a woman’s spirit, marking the shift between generations that has sparked a new role for our daughters as the force to hold their grandmother’s vision,” states Public Energy.
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Raven Mother runs for 75 minutes and is appropriate for the whole family.
Tickets are available on a sliding scale from $5 to $50 in person at the Market Hall box office (140 Charlotte St, Peterborough), by phone at 705-775-1503, or online at tickets.markethall.org.
To learn more about Public Energy’s 2024-25 season, visit www.publicenergy.ca.
VIDEO: “Raven Mother” by Dancers of Damelahamid
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a long-time media sponsor of Public Energy Performing Arts.
During its budget deliberations on November 19, 2024, Peterborough city council meeting as general committee voted against the 25 per cent funding cut to 75 arts and social services organizations proposed in the 2025 draft budget. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
Sometimes you can fight city hall and win.
Peterborough city council has voted against a proposed 25 per cent across-the-board cut in funding for 75 arts and social services organizations in the city’s draft 2025 budget.
While meeting as general committee on Tuesday (November 19) to continue a review of the draft budget that began on Monday, Mayor Jeff Leal put forward a motion to maintain 2024 funding amounts for all 75 organizations.
City staff had proposed a 25 per cent cut to the city’s community projects grants and community investment grants program, including existing service grants to Hutchison House and Kawartha Food Share, as well as a 25 per cent cut to 15 organizations that receive annual funding from the city.
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Those organizations are Artspace, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, Peterborough AIDS Resource Network, Community Care Peterborough, Peterborough Musicfest, Peterborough Folk Festival, Native Learning Program, Community Race Relations Committee, Council for Person with Disabilities, Showplace Performance Centre, Peterborough Lions Club, Peterborough GreenUP, New Canadians Centre, Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, and Peterborough Drug Strategy.
The savings to the city from these cuts would be $298,153, which represents only .0007 per cent — less than one per cent of one per cent — of the city’s $411 million operating budget, yet would have a potentially devastating impact according to local organizations.
A rally under the banner “Community, Not Cuts” was held outside city hall last Tuesday (November 12), attended by around 250 people, prior to a public meeting that evening when general committee heard impassioned pleas from 33 public delegations objecting to the proposed cuts, including representatives from 17 community organizations that would be affected by the cuts.
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After Mayor Leal made his motion at Tuesday’s general committee meeting, councillor Alex Bierk spoke against the proposed cuts, adding that he has worked with city staff to find $100,000 from two separate reserves that could be used to help fund arts and social services organizations.
Councillor Joy Lachica also spoke against the proposed cuts, noting that while cuts to community organizations were proposed in last year’s budget, “this time was different” in terms of the scope of the cuts.
“I believe that it’s shameful that we continue to do this to our arts organizations when we have a proposed budget,” she said.
After she continued speaking about the importance of the arts and culture to the community, she abruptly stopped when she overheard “a councillor to my left” say that she was “lecturing,” and later asked for and received an apology for the comment from Mayor Leal.
After questioning whether the mayor’s motion to restore the funding included all the organizations whose funding would be cut, councillor Kevin Duguay proposed that council review the funding for each of the 17 organizations on the list and vote for each separately.
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In support the mayor’s motion, councillor Gary Baldwin noted that he, “like many councillors over the last week or two,” had met with some organizations and people and received emails about the proposed cuts.
“I think it’s a critical step and it’s the right decision for council to restore the full 2024 funding for those organizations,” he said.
Councillor Keith Riel also spoke in favour of the mayor’s motion, noting the number of phone calls, emails, and meetings he had about the proposed cuts.
“The in-person meetings weren’t really that great — I can tell you I got a pretty good whipping,” he said, adding that the arts community is an economic driver for the community.
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As for councillor Duguay’s proposal to review the funding for each of the 17 listed organizations individually, councillor Bierk “absolutely strongly” disagreed with the proposal, pointing out the list is not comprehensive of the 75 organizations that receive funding.
He said the reason city staff had proposed a 25 per cent across-the-board cut was because it “was way too complex of a process” to go through all the organizations’ grants to determine which ones would be cut, and that council doing this would undermine the criteria and process that determined which organizations received a grant and why in the first place.
“The simplest way to do this is to clear the entire page and restore the cuts to the 2024 levels in all categories,” he said.
In later comments, councillor Bierk questioned whether councillor Duguay’s proposal to review each organization’s funding was a good use of time.
“We’re going to spend hours to go through this, to save what? A hundred grand?” he said, reiterating that he had identified $100,000 in reserves that could be used for 2025 funding for the organizations.
“So the ask would be for $198,000. Okay, so you want to spend an afternoon to shave off and whittle away on a $198,000? What is that going to do? Save one per cent of one per cent of one per cent, and get a whole bunch of people frustrated, and maybe have a decision made that’s going to drastically affect a group that needs the money? … We don’t need to waste our time on this ”
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At one point during the meeting, the city’s commissioner of community services Sheldon Laidman shed some light on why city staff had proposed a 25 per cent across-the-board cut to the organizations.
He explained the differences between community project grants, community investment grants, and the 18 organizations that council determined in the past should receive annual funding for the city. He said the city generally provides an inflationary increase in funding each year for these organizations, and city staff don’t scrutinize the funding provided to each organization.
“That’s why it was a difficult exercise for staff,” Laidman explained. “We looked at trying to look at each one of those individually (but) because there’s been no criteria, we just took a blanket approach to the funding of all the agencies at one time.”
Councillor Lesley Parnell said council should consider removing any of the 17 organizations on the list that is receiving less than $15,000 and have them apply for a community investment grant instead.
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As for councillor Don Vassiliadis, he pointed out it doesn’t make a “lot of sense” to go through each organization’s funding line by line.
“We flip through our pages (of the budget), and each page has millions of dollars on it, and now we’re going to go through line by line for something that has less than $300,000,” he said. “This money won’t get us where we need in the budget. A better use of our time is to vote on it and move on.”
In the end, councillor Duguay’s motion to review each organization’s funding line by line lost 6-5, with Mayor Leal and councillors Haacke, Beamer, Duguay, and Parnell voting in favour.
Two votes were then held on Mayor Leal’s original motion to keep funding the 75 organizations at 2024 levels, with the first vote on funding for the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre alone — after councillor Haacke had declared a pecuniary interest with the organization — and the second vote on funding for all the remaining organizations.
The first motion passed unanimously, with only Haacke voting against the second motion.
This story has been updated with a correction to the outcome of the second vote on Mayor Leal’s motion.
Parents Julie and Aaron Grant and their son Jude are being featured in a new promotional campaign recently launched by Five Counties Children's Centre. The regional children's treatment centre supports Jude and other children with special needs in the Kawartha Lakes and in Peterborough, Northumberland, and Haliburton counties. In 2023, Five Counties received a $135,200 grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation to implement new fundraising and communications strategies. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children's Centre)
Selwyn Township parents Aaron and Julie Grant want other parents of children who have special needs to know Five Counties Children’s Centre “will be in your corner as your child’s advocate.”
That has been the case for the Grants, who have received support for their three-year-old son Jude, who has cerebral palsy and developmental delays.
That’s one reason the couple has agreed to be part of a fundraising campaign recently launched by Five Counties Children’s Centre, which serves children with developmental delays in the Kawartha Lakes and in Peterborough, Northumberland, and Haliburton counties.
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“Five Counties has impacted us largely by finding ways to help Jude reach his full potential, both physically and cognitively, and has taught us those strategies to best support his development at home,” the Grants told kawarthaNOW.
The Grants were present last Tuesday (November 12) when Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith met with representatives from Five Counties Children’s Centre, as well as the kids and families involved with the program. In 2023, the centre received an 18-month $135,200 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to implement new fundraising and communications strategies.
The OTF grant is paying off, with Five Counties being able to help more local kids and youth with physical, developmental, and communication needs get care close to home, a media release from Five Counties noted. The grant helped the centre double its fundraising total to $1.2 million in 2023-24 and “remain in a strong position to attract more donors in its current fiscal year.”
Five Counties Children’s Centre staff members Maddie Jackson (far left) and Lyn Giles (far right) with Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith (second from left) and Julie and Aaron Grant (holding his son Jude) in front of an outdoor billboard sign encouraging support for the children’s treatment centre. In 2023, Five Counties received a $135,200 grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation to implement new fundraising and communications strategies. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children’s Centre)
“The impact of this (OTF) funding on our work cannot be overstated,” said Five Counties CEO Scott Pepin.
“The OTF grant has helped us become more resilient and reinvigorated in our fundraising and communication efforts. This has led us to generate more donations, allowing Five Counties to enhance our publicly funded services to reduce wait times and ensure kids and families in Peterborough, Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton/Minden get the care they need when they need it.”
The bulk of the Resilient Communities Fund grant has gone towards creating a new position at Five Counties to support and boost fundraising and communication efforts. The fund development communications assistant position was originally set to last for 18 months but is now being extended by the centre.
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The money has also helped Five Counties to develop, deliver, monitor and evaluate fundraising communications activities, while introducing new, sustainable systems and technologies to better reach donors, Five Counties said.
“The investment by the (OTF) through its Resilient Communities Fund is paying off for children and families in our region,” MPP Smith said. “The OTF grant supplied by the Province of Ontario has helped Five Counties enhance its fundraising efforts and better engage with donors, meaning it can raise extra funds to support more kids’ treatment services.”
In addition, a portion of the OFT grant is designated for promotional purposes. The centre has used this to create new and enhanced digital and print-based materials for fundraising and marketing. Five Counties is also using this portion of the OTF grant to launch a multimedia advertising campaign this November and December that coincides with its annual holiday appeal for donations.
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According to the Grant family, they agreed to be part of the promotional campaign “to help raise awareness of the importance of funding in the delivery of the multitude of services that Five Counties provides.”
“Limited funding is unequivocally the number one barrier to accessing these much-needed services by children with exceptionalities and their families,” the Grants said. “We are aware of the need that exists for Five Counties services across our region, and we would love to see the waitlists reduced through increased funding.”
During the past 18 months, the OTF grant has allowed Five Counties to increase the capacity of its fundraising efforts, and the multimedia campaign expands the scope and size of its annual holiday appeal across multiple new platforms, noted Lyn Giles, the centre’s director of fund development.
VIDEO: “Jude’s Story: Forever Grateful for the Care Received”
“We’re fortunate that we had Five Counties so early on,” said Julie Grant in a video that’s at the heart of the promotional campaign.
“Jude has had so many milestone accomplishments since we’ve been here in the past two years.”
Jude has been a client of Five Counties since he was four months old, and currently receives occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech therapy at the centre.
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“As an organization and as individuals on our therapy team, they have provided us with a sense of community, belonging, the feeling of not being alone in this journey, and have acted as an extension of our family by supporting our fears, answering our questions, and celebrating Jude’s milestones alongside us,” the Grants told kawarthaNOW.
What would they share about the Five Counties with other parents of children who have special needs?
“We would reassure parents that Five Counties will be in your corner as your child’s advocate and will be great supporters of your journey — that the Five Counties community, from the therapists, executive, and other parents, will be your biggest resource, where you can feel confident in trusting the process.”
Holly Butler is the manager of Iceman Video Games in downtown Peterborough, the second location of the business originally founded by her parents in 1992 in Mississauga. Along with new and used video games, the family-owned independent business also sells figures, comic books, and more. (Photo courtesy of Iceman Video Games)
It’s the perfect time to level up for all the gamers on your Christmas lists this year, with big savings during early Black Friday sales at Iceman Video Games in downtown Peterborough.
Iceman Video Games was originally founded in Mississauga in 1992 by Gary Butler and his wife Chris Houle, when Gary decided to quit smoking and the couple bought a Nintendo system to keep his hands occupied. After Gary accumulated lots of games, they decided to start a flea market booth to sell the used games. That eventually led to stores in Toronto, including locations in Kensington Market and on Queen Street West.
In 2005, the family moved the business to downtown Lindsay and, in 2015, they opened a second location in downtown Peterborough with the help of their daughter Holly Butler, who manages the Peterborough location as well as the online store.
Iceman Video Games stocks games for all the major consoles, including Playstation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X, and Nintendo Switch. From Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to Super Mario Party Jamboree, the most in-demand games can be found in store on their release date and can even be pre-ordered. Rumour has it that the next generation of Nintendo Switch might be on its way, and gamers can be sure Iceman Video Games will have it stocked as soon as it’s on the market.
Iceman Video Games in downtown Peterborough encourages the “lost art” of video game trading, allowing customers to swap their used games for new titles. In addition to selling recent releases and used games for several consoles, the Peterborough location sells a vast collection of manga, comic books, trade paperbacks, and graphic novels. (Photo courtesy of Iceman Video Games)
But Iceman Video Games offers more than video games. The business has expanded its inventory to include figures, board games, and card games. While the Lindsay location now has a growing collection of vinyl records as well as CDs, the Peterborough shop is building a comic book collection where buyers can find new and used graphic novels, manga, single issue comic books, and trade paperbacks.
Iceman Video Games also encourages the “lost art” of video game trading. Rather than letting an already-played game collect dust in the closet, gamers can come into the store to swap one game towards the purchase of another. The exchanged game will then be available for another gamer to purchase, making it a win-win-win for the environment, future gamers and, of course, your wallet. You might even be surprised to know how much your old games are worth.
Located at 390 George St. N. in downtown Peterborough, Iceman Video Games is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. For more information about both the Peterborough and Lindsay locations and to shop online, visit icemanvideogames.com
Shop The Boro is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in downtown Peterborough, created in partnership with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA).
With a Boro gift card, supporting locally owned businesses in downtown Peterborough has never been easier. Buy a Boro gift card for your family, friends, or co-workers and let them choose their own adventure. Whether it’s a delicious meal and a night out, a one-of-a-kind find, or a day of relaxation, it’s truly the gift of possibility. You choose the value, they choose the gift.
With a Boro gift card, you are giving more than just a gift — you’re also supporting the people and places that make Peterborough/Nogojiwanong a truly special place to work, live, and play. Shop, dine, and explore the core with Boro gift cards, available online at theboro.ca/product/the-boro-gift-cards/.
Communities across the Kawarthas region will be gathering for festive and family-fun celebrations in the weeks leading up to Christmas. One such festivity will be Port Hope's annual Candlelight Festival, being held from November 29, 2024 to January 2, 2025. (Photo: Ken Solilo)
From the fallen tamaracks and the frosty mornings to festive radio music and the addition of peppermint-flavoured specials, the signs of the holidays are quickly sneaking up on us.
Community is at the heart of the holiday season, and since nobody does community better than the Kawarthas, there is no shortage of merry, spirit-raising, jingle-bell rocking events to bring residents and visitors together.
Including local art exhibits, auctions for a cause, holiday markets, and charity fundraisers, here are a few family-fun events across the region to get you in the Christmas spirit.
A Holiday Art Market at the Colborne Street Gallery in Fenelon Falls (November 1 – December 23)
Visit the Colborne Street Gallery by Tim and Chris in Fenelon Falls before December 23, 2024 for A Holiday Art Market. With a focus on work priced under $400, the exhibit will feature ceramics, paintings, photography, sculptures, and more from over 50 artists. (Photo: Colborne Street Gallery)
Looking for unique gifts for the friends and family on your shopping list this year? Visit the Colborne Street Gallery by Tim and Chris in Fenelon Falls (36 Colborne Street) before Monday, December 23 to browse one-of-a-kind, handmade artwork from more than 50 artists.
The gallery will be filled with decorative paintings, photography, and sculptures, as well as functional artworks like ceramics, towels, puzzles, and a whole lot more. The show is putting a focus on exhibiting pieces priced at under $400.
Visit colbornegallery.ca to preview the artwork and to see the full list of participating artists.
Christmas in the Annex at Bancroft’s A Place for the Arts (November 6 – December 22)
Bancroft’s A Place for the Arts is hosting Christmas in the Annex where a range of original work from local artists in the collective will be priced at $50 or under. Christmas in the Annex is running until December 22, 2024. (Photo: A Place for the Arts)
Show support for local artists without going over your Secret Santa budget by shopping Christmas in the Annex at Bancroft’s A Place for the Arts (23 Bridge Street West).
Until Sunday, December 22, the Annex will be exhibiting small works from artists in the collective, with all items priced at $50 and under. Getting stunning and original artwork at a low cost certainly makes for a merry Christmas for the gift giver, gift receiver, and the local artist.
Haliburton Highlands Land Trust Holiday Auction (November 17 – December 8)
This year, your gift giving could give back to the planet. The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust is launching an online silent auction with close to 100 donated items including Toronto Raptors tickets, artwork, outdoor experiences, concert tickets, and more. Proceeds will support the organization’s purchase of the Hadlington property, a 100-acre site in Highlands East with 28 acres of wetland providing critical habitat for species at risk. The auction is open until December 8, 2024. (Photo: Haliburton Highlands Land Trust)
Make a contribution to the Earth this holiday season by shopping for your holiday gifts online through the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust’s 2024 Holiday Auction until Sunday, December 8.
Nearly 100 items, each at various starting bids, have been donated to the auction, including Toronto Raptors tickets, charcuterie boards, canoe paddles, outdoor experiences, firewood, family photo sessions, concert tickets, artwork, gift certificates, and a lot more.
The funds raised from the auction will go towards the purchase of the Hadlington Property, an undeveloped 100-acre property in Highlands East. The property contains forests, wetlands, and 3.5 kilometres of shoreline along the Irondale River which provide habitat for species at risk. With the purchase of the land, the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust will host hikes, paddles, and workshops on site. The organization is aiming to raise the remaining $75,000 for the land purchase by the end of the year.
Shop for Joy at the Art Gallery of Peterborough (November 21)
An annual event to launch the season of gift giving, Shop for Joy is taking over The Gallery Shop at the Art Gallery of Peterborough on November 21, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guests can browse jewellery, ceramics, sculptures, textiles, and more from local artists featured in the gallery and will be entered for a chance to win a holiday package of goods. (Photo: Zach Ward)
To launch the season of gift giving, The Gallery Shop at the Art Gallery of Peterborough (250 Crescent Street) is hosting the annual Shop for Joy event from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 21.
Displaying one-of-a-kind ceramics, glass and metal sculptures, textiles, jewellery, and much more, the shop is known for representing the best artists and makers of the region and designers from around the world.
Every purchase from The Gallery Shop will support the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s programming, as well as local artists and makers. New this year, guests of Shop for Joy will be entered to win a holiday package inspired by local makers featured in the shop.
Holiday Fundraiser at Paulmac’s Pets Cobourg (November 24)
Get your furry friends holiday ready at Paulmac’s Pets in Cobourg on November 24, 2024 with a fundraiser in support of cats and children in Northumberland County. Dog bathing, trimming, and gland expressions will be available, as well as photos with Santa with proceeds going to the Small Town Cat Project. The fundraiser will also be collecting for The Giving Tree. (Photo: Paulmac’s Pets Cobourg)
Get your pup ready for the holidays while supporting the children and pets in Northumberland County at the Holiday Fundraiser at Paulmac’s Pets Cobourg (1111 Elgin Street West) on Sunday, November 24. Presented by the Ryan Huffman Real Estate Team with Bam Quick Bins Northumberland and The Cobourg Pet Nanny, the fundraiser will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and give back to local initiatives.
Customers can get dog bathing, nail trimming, and gland expressions for a minimum donation of $10 per service, with proceeds going to the grassroots Northumberland County Small Town Cat Project, which connects community members with rescue partners. Cross another thing off your holiday list by getting your photos with Santa or your pet’s photos with Santa done directly in store.
The fundraiser will also be collecting for The Giving Tree, a community project that has provided children in need with gifts for the holidays since 1989. Choose a child’s name from the tree, go shopping at a local store, and receive 10 per cent off the purchase.
Walk-ins are welcome, though appointments are recommended. To book, call Paulmac’s directly at 905-373-1268. Visit Paulmac’s Pets Cobourg on Facebook for more information.
“Christmas, Seasons” with the Kawartha String Orchestra in Peterborough (November 24)
The Kawartha String Orchestra in performance at its spring 2024 concert. For its annual winter concert on November 24, 2024, the community orchestra will be playing Purcell, Vivaldi, music from “Home Alone, and festival holiday tunes under the theme “Christmas, Seasons”. With special guests Marcus Quin and Tak Twan, the concert will be accepting monetary donations to Kawartha Food Share. (Photo: Doug Haskell)
Nothing will get us in the Christmas spirit more than listening to holiday tunes and the Kawartha String Orchestra has us covered. The community orchestra is hosting their annual winter concert on Sunday, November 24 at 2 p.m. at Peterborough’s St. James United Church (221 Romaine Street).
With the theme “Christmas, Seasons”, the performance will see the music of Purcell and Vivaldi, as well as music from the cult classic Home Alone, and other traditionally festive classics. The performance will feature guest soloists Marcus Quin on clarinet and Kawartha String Orchestra’s music director and conductor Tak Kwan on violin.
The concert is in support of Kawartha Food Share, with admission by monetary donation (no food items). Visit www.kawarthastring.com for more information.
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Port Hope Candlelight Festival (November 29 – January 2)
Why limit the holiday celebrations to just a few days of the year when we can celebrate for an entire month? That’s exactly what Port Hope chooses to do each year through the Candlelight Festival.
The month kicks off with the Candlelight Walk beginning at Walton and Pine Streets at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 29. As Buddy the Elf says, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear,” so be sure to access the digital song sheets and come with your singing voices in tune. Don’t forget to also bring a light source (candle or lantern), a donation to the Fare Share Food Bank, and your wallet as Lent Lane will be set up as an outdoor vendor market. The opening celebrations will also include photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, wagon rides, kids’ activities, and the park lighting ceremony in Memorial Park.
The following day, Port Hope will host its Santa Claus Parade under the theme “Miracle on Walton Street” to celebrate the completion of phase two of the Walton Street reconstruction project.
The rest of the month will see the Festival of Lights and Trees annual fundraiser at the Capitol Theatre, which will be hosting special concerts and its annual naughty and nice Christmas panto, based on the fairy tale Rapunzel. There will also be free Christmas light tours for seniors, holiday camps, a pyjama drive, and the Festive Fun Day on Saturday, December 7.
The 25th annual Santa Day in Fenelon Falls on November 30, 2024 will include a variety of family-friendly activities as well as a Santa Claus parade and a spectacular firework display. (Photo: Santa Day website)
You can find a Santa Claus parade anywhere, but not all towns dedicate a full day to the jolly man in red the way Fenelon Falls does. And with the 25th anniversary, this year’s Santa Day promises to be an extra mighty celebration.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, there will be family-friendly activities happening all around the downtown, including pony rides, a breakfast with Santa, petting zoos, ornament making, a gingerbread contest, face painting, crafts, chainsaw carving, wagon rides, and so much more.
Then, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., residents and visitors can welcome to Fenelon Falls the man of honour himself through the magic of the Santa Claus parade. From professional bands and spectacular floats to a grand finale firework display, the celebration is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
Yellow House Bees and OtonaBEE Apiary will be one of the vendors on site during the Lakefield Farmers’ Market annual Holiday Market, taking place beside The Village Inn on December 1, 2024. A great spot to shop unique holiday gifts, the market will feature local small businesses selling food and preservatives, baked goods, artisan goods, and more. (Photo: Lakefield Farmers’ Market)
Get stocked up on all the baked goods and quality produce you’ll need for all the holiday dinners, parties, and events you have scheduled this season by taking a trip to the Lakefield Farmers’ Market annual Holiday Market on Sunday, December 1.
Located beside The Village Inn (39 Queen Street) and running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the special event will be full of local food and preservatives, baking, and wines. It’s also the chance to get Christmas shopping done, as there will be tables of unique artisan goods from local makers.
Visit the Lakefield Farmers’ Market on Facebook for more information.
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Christmas in the Village in Millbrook (December 7)
Presented by the Millbrook Business Improvement Area (BIA), Christmas in the Village returns to Millbrook on December 7, 2024 with a full day of festive fun for the entire family, including a breakfast with Santa with photos and wagon rides, a vendor market, live music, holiday mini photo sessions, a tree lighting ceremony, and more. (Photo: Nexicom)
Santa will be making a stop to Millbrook on Saturday, December 7 for the annual Christmas in the Village celebration.
Presented by the Millbrook Business Improvement Area (BIA), the event features a full day of festive fun for the entire family, including a breakfast with Santa with photos and wagon rides, a vendor market, live music, holiday mini photo sessions, a tree lighting ceremony, and more.
After Breakfast with Santa at the Millbrook Legion, with two seatings at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m, King Street East and surrounding streets will be turned into the Merry Marketplace and Merry Village from noon until 5 p.m. featuring artisans and makers, food trucks, the Merry Lounge for socializing, and the Merry Music Stage featuring local talent. For children of all ages to get creative, Nexicom will be hosting a “Cookies & Crafts” decorating station.
Those looking for family photos for the holidays can book a mini photo session with Millbrook lifestyle photographer Amanda Marlin. For $150, you’ll get a 15-minute session, with a vintage truck decked out for Christmas providing the festive backdrop, and receive 15 digital prints just in time to make your holiday cards or gifts.
Christmas in the Village will wrap up with a tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. on King Street East, between Nexicom and the Millbrook Legion. Bring your own ornament to hang on the tree while you enjoy the sounds of carolling. Christmas celebrations in Millbrook will continue the following weekend, when Santa returns to the village for the annual Santa Claus parade beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 14.
Christmas at Ken Reid in Kawartha Lakes (December 7)
Santa Claus will be making a visit to Ken Reid Conservation Area on December 7, 2024 for the annual Christmas at Ken Reid event. The day will include scavenger hunts, craft stations, vendor markets, a story walks, live music, and more. (Photo: Kawartha Conservation)
Spend some time outside this holiday season by joining Santa Claus at Christmas at Ken Reid from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 7.
Highlights of the free family-fun event at Ken Reid Conservation Area (277 Kenrei Road, Lindsay) include horse-drawn carriages, a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt, kids craft stations, musical entertainment, a Grinch-guided story walk, a birds of prey show, live wood carving demonstrations, and a vendor market.
New this year, guests can get VIP on-site parking with the pre-purchase of a $20 ticket. Otherwise, you need to use off-site parking or catch the free shuttle picking up from multiple locations in Lindsay throughout the day. While admission to the event is free, donations are appreciated and welcomed.
While at Ken Reid Conservation Area, be sure to check out the enchanting Illuminated Forest which will be taking over the area throughout December. Open nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the light displays over the canopy of trees will leave you in awe.
Peterborough’s Christmas for the Kids (December 15)
Peterborough’s Modern Makers Market is hosting the second annual Christmas for the Kids on December 15, 2024. The family-friendly event will include cookie decorating, photo booths, the Elf Gift Shop, and more. (Photo: Modern Makers Market)
You may know that each year Peterborough’s Modern Makers Market hosts the annual Modern Holiday Market on December 1, but did you know they also organizes an event dedicated to kids?
Christmas for the Kids takes place at the Morrow Building (151 Lansdowne Street West) on Sunday, December 15, beginning at 10 a.m. Admission is $10 for adults and free for those 16 and under.
The Elf Gift Shop is set up like a retail store, giving young gift-givers the chance to make their own intentional purchases for their friends, family members, and those who are most special to them. Kids will be able to purchase something-no matter their budget-and then can get help in getting it wrapped and tagged to bring home. The shop is a fundraising initiative that will give grocery card gift cards those in the region facing food insecurity.
In addition to browsing the small vendors market and getting a bite at the food court, kids can satisfy their sweet tooth by decorating cookies before heading to the Christmas Craft Table to create holiday cards and create handmade ornaments. They can then cuddle, pet, and play with furry friends at the petting zoo, and capture the afternoon with a pose or a selfie with Santa at the photo booth.
As for the Modern Holiday Market, it runs at the Morrow Building from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 1 and features 100 vendors. Admission is $5 at the door.
For more information on both events, visit the Modern Makers Market on Facebook.
Representatives of the Peterborough Humane Society and Peterborough-based creative agency Unmanned were in New Orleans at the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement's annual conference on November 18, 2024 to receive the People's Choice Wagsies Award and $20,000 for animals in need for the 2023 "Never Too Late" video. The annual Wagsies Animal Welfare Video Awards are presented by the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and the Hill's Food, Shelter & Love program. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society)
The Peterborough Humane Society’s “Never Too Late” video has beaten out four other finalists to claim the $20,000 grand prize in the 2024 People’s Choice Wagsies Awards.
Presented by the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program, the Wagsies Animal Welfare Video Awards are described as “a celebration of the incredible work shelters do for pets and our communities.”
On Monday (November 18), the Peterborough Humane Society announced on social media that it had won both the “Best Public Service Announcement Award” and the “People’s Choice Award”, with the latter award including $20,000 for animals in need. The awards were presented at the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement’s annual conference in New Orleans.
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Released for a holiday campaign last December, “Never Too Late” tells the story of an elderly gentleman bearing a gift for someone named Lucy.
With its full title “It’s never too late to fall in love again,” the video was created and donated by Peterborough-based creative agency Unmanned.
In the minute-long ad, an elderly gentleman — played by Unmanned co-founder and chief marketing officer Kyle Christie’s own grandfather — crafts what appears to be a leather belt in his workshop, before wrapping it as a gift and readying himself to meet someone named Lucy.
VIDEO: “It’s never too late to fall in love again”
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After leaving his house carrying the gift, the man arrives at his destination and waves a greeting at a smiling woman who emerges from a building to meet him. The ad’s big reveal is that the man has actually arrived at the Peterborough Animal Care Centre. The woman is a volunteer who brings the man a dog named Lucy he has adopted, and the man’s gift is a leather collar for Lucy.
The only Canadian video among the five finalists, “Never Too Late” competed in online voting during the fall against videos called “Beware of Bullies” by Missouri’s APA Adoption Center, “Scotty Adoption” by Pasado’s Safe Haven in Washington, “Cadbury Paws” by Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA in Virginia, and “A Lifesaving Haven” by Houston SPCA in Texas.
“Beware of Bullies” by Missouri’s APA Adoption Center came in second in the online voting, earning $10,000.
Sharron Wharram-Spry and Brian Spry of Spry Family Christmas Tree Farm in Cobourg will be hosting their 10th and final fundraiser for Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation on December 7, 2024, with proceeds helping fund the purchase of a hematology analyzer for the hospital's laboratory. (Photo courtesy of Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation)
Getting a fresh Christmas tree and later enjoying its twinkling lights can help “Light Up a Life” for Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH).
The NHH Foundation is partnering once again with Sharron Wharram-Spry and Brian Spry, owners of the Spry Family Christmas Tree Farm in Cobourg, for the 10th annual holiday fundraiser for the west Northumberland hospital — which will also be the final year the Sprys will host the event.
Community members are invited to hunt for their perfect tree and take part in the other festivities on Saturday, December 7 at the farm, located at 8329 Danforth Rd., which is just east of Burnham Street in Cobourg. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and most trees are $80, apart from fir trees, which are $120.
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Megan Fluxgold, NHH Foundation’s community engagement and events specialist, said the “Spry Family Christmas” event has raised more than $170,000 for the hospital to date.
“The best possible outcome for us would be to have as many members of the community as possible come out, and support (NHH) at this much-loved event,” Fluxgold told kawarthaNOW.
“After 10 amazing years, Brian and Sharron have let us know this will be their final year hosting this incredible event which has become a well-loved tradition for most families. Since its inception in 2015, Spry Family Christmas at the Spry Family Christmas tree farm has raised over $174,000, which is absolutely incredible.”
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“We are incredibly grateful to the Spry family, and we hope the community can come out, grab a beautiful tree, take a photo with Santa, and enjoy some goodies all while supporting our local hospital,” Fluxgold added.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will on hand to pose for photos with attendees and their will be chili, hot dogs, hot chocolate, coffee and treats available to enjoy around a warm bonfire. People who don’t need a tree are still welcome to attend the event, organizers noted.
Sponsors for this year’s event are Baker Tilly, Wharram Tree Service Ltd., Craft Food House, Ley Wealth Management, Neil Ganson – RBC Wealth Management, and Davey Tree Service.
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All of the money raised from the December 7th event will be directed to the NHH Foundation’s 2024 Light Up a Life campaign to help fund the purchase of a hematology analyzer for the hospital’s laboratory.
Last year’s event generated $29,677 for the foundation’s campaign, with more than 144 trees sold and 100 per cent of the proceeds donated to the cause, the NHH Foundation noted. Money is raised through tree sales and by sponsors.
First introduced in 1994, the Light Up a Life campaign has generated more than $3.7 million over the years. It has helped pay for various pieces of equipment such as surgical scopes, anaesthetic machines, hospital beds, and NHH’s MRI machine.
For more information or to inquire about sponsoring the Christmas tree farm event in the future, reach out to Fluxgold through email at mfluxgold@nhh.ca or by calling 905-372-6811 ext. 3068.
Kawartha Rotary's annual Christmas Auction raises funds to support a variety of community projects in Peterborough. In October 2024, Brock Mission's Primary Care Clinic, which offers medical care for anyone experiencing homelessness, celebrated the opening of a much-needed washroom made possible with funding from the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha and the Peterborough Family Health Team. Pictured from left to right are nurse practitioner Lee-Anne Quinn, Kawartha Rotary president Dean Ostrander, Peterborough Family Health Team CEO Duff Sprague, Peterborough Street Medicine physician Dr. John Beamish, and Brian O'Toole and Wendy Swain of Kawartha Rotary's major projects committee. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha)
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to support the local community while shopping for gifts this holiday season, the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha’s annual Christmas Auction returns for its 26th year on Monday (November 18).
The annual auction features more than one hundred items donated local businesses and organizations, including children’s toys and games, clothing and accessories, gift cards to local businesses and restaurants, theatre and hockey tickets, home appliances and decor items, and more.
Bidding for the online auction opens at 11 a.m. on Monday at www.kawartharotaryauction.com and closes on Sunday, December 1st in 20-minute intervals, from 1:20 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Established in 1994, the Kawartha Rotary Christmas Auction has raised many thousands of dollars every year to benefit worthwhile community initiatives supported by Kawartha Rotary, such as the railway replacement project at the Riverview Park and Zoo. Proceeds from the 2024 online auction, which runs from November 18 to December 1, will support a variety of community projects in Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha)
The Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha was established in 1989 and held its inaugural Christmas Gift Auction in 1994, raising $6,965. Originally broadcast on television, the auction went online only in 2008.
Over the years, the Christmas auction has raised many thousands of dollars to benefit worthwhile community initiatives supported by Kawartha Rotary, including a new washroom at Brock Mission’s primary care clinic, the splashpad at Nichols Oval, the outdoor gym at Beavermead Park, the outdoor musical instruments park at the Riverview Park and Zoo, the Peterborough police canine unit, capital projects at Hospice Peterborough, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, YES Shelter for Youth and Families, and the Peterborough Animal Care Centre, and more.
Last year’s auction raised over $16,000 to support a variety of community projects in Peterborough, with proceeds from this year’s auction doing the same.
The sponsors of the 2024 Kawartha Rotary Christmas Auction. (Supplied logos)
This year’s auction is sponsored by Stone Guide Realty Limited Brokerage, Herod Financial Services, Darling Insurance, Commercial Press, Park Place Financial, ISL Insurance Brokers, Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn, Nexicom, Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre, and Iron Horse Ranch.
Payments for winning bids can be made via e-transfer to kawartharotaryauction@gmail.com or using cash or debit. Visa and MasterCard will also be accepted, but e-transfers, cash, or debit are preferred to avoid credit card processing fees so all of the proceeds can stay in the community.
For more information on the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha, visit kawartharotary.com.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha. If your business or organization is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
Detective sergeant Josh McGrath in a Peterborough Police Service video describing the incident on November 16, 2024 at the Hunt Terraces apartment building that resulted in the death of a 62-year-old Peterborough man who was a tenant in the building. A 38-year-old Peterborough man who is also a tenant in the building has been charged with second-degree murder. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
A 38-year-old Peterborough man is facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of a 62-year-old man on Saturday night (November 16).
At around 7:50 p.m. on Saturday, police officers were called to Hunt Terraces — a six-storey apartment building at 555 Bonaccord Street owned by Peterborough Housing Corporation — about an altercation between two tenants.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a man outside of the building without vital signs. Although officers and paramedics attempted life-saving measures, the 62-year-old Peterborough man was pronounced dead at Peterborough Regional Health Centre a short time later.
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As the result of a police investigation, a 38-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The accused man is being held in police custody and will appear in court on November 17.
Although police have not released any details about the incident, there have been reports the man was stabbed. Police say they are not searching for any other suspects in connection with the homicide.
“This was a targeted incident and there are no ongoing safety concerns to the community,” said detective sergeant Josh McGrath in a Peterborough Police Service video.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Peterborough police at 705-876-1122 ext. 555. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at stopcrimehere.ca.
Santa of course! Father Christmas will be coming to Millbrook on December 7, 2024 for the annual Christmas in the Village celebration. Taking place this year for a full day on Saturday, the event kicks off with Breakfast with Santa in the morning at the Millbrook Legion and continues throughout the day with a vendor market, live music, holiday mini photo sessions, and more, until a tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. with a roast beef dinner at the Legion from 5 to 7 p.m. (Photo: Marjorie McDonald)
Although he’s already very busy getting prepared for the big day, Santa will be coming to Millbrook on Saturday, December 7th for the annual Christmas in the Village celebration.
Presented by the Millbrook Business Improvement Area (BIA), the event features a full day of festive fun for the entire family, including a breakfast with Santa with photos and wagon rides, a vendor market, live music, holiday mini photo sessions, a tree lighting ceremony, and more.
“Christmas in the Village is about bringing the entire community together and has something for all ages,” says Millbrook BIA’s Chloe Dewhurst, owner of Millbrook’s ReThink Hair and event organizer.
Millbrook’s Nexicom is one of many businesses that will be participating in this year’s Christmas in the Village, to be held on King Street East and surrounding streets on Saturday, December 7. Nexicom will be hosting a cookie decorating and craft station throughout the afternoon for children of all ages. (Photo: Nexicom)
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While in recent years the event has been held on a Thursday evening, this year’s Christmas in the Village runs on a Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We’re hoping that offering the event throughout the day on a Saturday will allow for more families to come,” says Dewhurst.
Christmas in the Village is not just an opportunity for locals and visitors to get into the holiday spirit, Dewhurst adds, but a chance to celebrate everything that makes Millbrook special..
“Our community is growing, and we want to reflect that vibrancy by showcasing local businesses, talent, craftsmanship, and fellowship,” she explains. “At its heart, Christmas in the Village is about bringing the community together to emphasize connection, gratitude, and togetherness. The BIA places a large importance on enhancing and maintaining our historical downtown, and retaining a charm and warmth to ensure our community continues to come together to inspire and support one another.”
Each child will leave Breakfast with Santa at the Millbrook Legion during Christmas in the Village on Saturday, December 7 with two digital photos with Father Christmas and a small take-away gift. Santa will return to Millbrook the following Saturday for the annual Santa Claus parade. (Photo: Millbrook BIA)
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That community support is exemplified by the Millbrook Royal Canadian Legion at 9 King Street East, which is kicking off Christmas in the Village by generously hosting Breakfast with Santa from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
“They are a wonderful source of support to the community at large,” Dewhurst notes, adding that the community can find more information about their services through their website at millbrooklegion.com.
With two seatings, Breakfast with Santa features a buffet-style breakfast of pancakes, sausages, and fruit. Children of all ages will also get the chance to play games, pen their letter to Santa, and enjoy an outdoor wagon ride. Each child will come out of the breakfast with two digital photos with Santa and leave with a small take-away gift. And don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy or gift card for the Millbrook Legion’s toy drive!
The seatings are at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. (the second seating is already sold out). Tickets are $15 per person (free for kids under two years old) and must be purchased online before Wednesday, November 27th. Guests are encouraged to dress warmly for the wagon ride.
From noon until 5 p.m., King Street East and surrounding streets will be turned into the Merry Marketplace and Merry Village featuring artisans and makers, food trucks, the Merry Lounge for socializing, and the Merry Music Stage featuring local talent. For children of all ages to get creative, Nexicom will be hosting a “Cookies & Crafts” decorating station.
Those looking for family photos for the holidays can book a mini photo session with Millbrook lifestyle photographer Amanda Marlin. For $150, you’ll get a 15-minute session, with a vintage truck decked out for Christmas providing the festive backdrop, and receive 15 digital prints just in time to make your holiday cards or gifts. Sessions take place from noon to 4:30 p.m. and must be booked in advance before Friday, December 6th.
Christmas in the Village also offers a perfect opportunity to get started on (or finish) your Christmas shopping, all while supporting the local economy. The Merry Marketplace will feature a range of artisans and makers, and the charming shops of Millbrook will also be open.
“Reminding the community of Millbrook’s local and very talented businesses, services, and artisans is a wonderful way to fulfill that need, as opposed to a big box or online retailer,” Dewhurst points out. “Having a space like Christmas in the Village offers the community a chance to reflect on what gift giving is all about, in an environment that encourages the consumer to slow down, enjoy a hot chocolate, and seek out presents that inspire them — bringing out the true importance of the holiday season.”
During Christmas in the Village on Saturday, December 7, the charming shops of Millbrook will be open so you can start (or finish) your holiday shopping. The event also includes the Merry Marketplace featuring a wide range of local artisans and makers. (Photo: Marjorie McDonald)
Millbrook BIA is still seeking vendors for the Merry Marketplace. With limited spots available, online registration is open until Wednesday, November 27th.
In the spirit of the season, Christmas in the Village will wrap up with a tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. on King Street East, between Nexicom and the Millbrook Legion. Bring your own ornament to hang on the tree while you enjoy the sounds of carolling.
If you’re famished after a full day of festive family fun and gift shopping, you can end the day at the Millbrook Legion, which will be serving a roast beef dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.
During Millbrook’s Christmas in the Village on Saturday, December 7, Millbrook lifestyle photographer Amanda Marlin will be offering 15-minute holiday-themed photoshoots with a vintage truck decked out for Christmas. Priced at $150, the 15-minute sessions will have customers receiving 15 digital prints in time to create holiday cards or gifts. Sessions must be booked in advance of December 6. (Photo: Amanda Marlin)
Christmas celebrations in Millbrook will continue the following weekend, when Santa returns to the village for the annual Santa Claus parade beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 14th.
The parade starts at the Millbrook Christian Assembly and travels King Street to the Old Millbrook Arena. Following the parade, there will be a festive family drop-in from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre featuring cookies, hot chocolate, a Christmas craft, and a special visit with Santa.
“It will be another chance for the community can come together and enjoy Millbrook’s historical downtown and all that its local businesses have to offer,” says Dewhurst.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the Millbrook Business Improvement Area (BIA). If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
Except where noted, all photos have been generously supplied by Millbrook photographer Marjorie McDonald. Visit her website at www.marjoriemcdonald.ca and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
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