Christmas in Clearview
Planning is underway for festive activities throughout the area, providing opportunities to gather with neighbours, visit with Santa, and support those in need this holiday season.
Creemore Tree lighting
Creemore’s Christmas in the Valley begins with the tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 5, hosted by Creemore Village Green and Creemore Firefighters’ Association from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. This cherished annual tradition includes a performance by the Creemore Community Children’s Choir, games and the crazy hat contest to determine who will have the honour of lighting up the 12-foot Christmas tree set up on the stage. The crazy hat contest invites youth to create a hat – the crazier the better. Hats from past years have been assembled using things from around the house, embellished with ribbons, ornaments and even lights. Attendees will be invited to gather round the fire pits to warm up and make s’mores.
Inside, Station on the Green will be serving free hot dogs and hot chocolate, and children’s crafts facilitated by Imaginarium Adventure in Art. Children are also encouraged to bring their letters to Santa and make use of the North Pole post box.
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, Dec. 6 starts with Breakfast with Santa at the Creemore Legion from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. which includes a silent auction and pictures with Santa. The pancake and sausage breakfast costs $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets available at the door. Cash only. All proceeds from the event are donated to Nottawasaga and Creemore Public School and St. Luke’s Community Food Bank.
Creemore Santa Claus parade
The Creemore parade, hosted by the Creemore BIA, is expected to hit Mill Street at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 6. The parade will be marshalling at the arena and will travel east on Johnston Street, south on Mill Street to Edward, and east to Mary Street in order to pass by the nursing home. To enter a float contact sara@ creemore.com or call 705-466-9906. A fee of $20 applies to businesses. Community groups and non- profit groups can register free of charge. Don’t miss a chance to meet Santa at Creemore Village Green after the parade.
Christmas markets
This December, the Creemore Farmers’ and Craft Market’s annual Christmas Markets will be on Sundays – Dec. 7, 14 and 21 – from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Station on the Green. The vendor lineup will change from week to week.
JS Bach’s Long Walk in the Snow
On Sunday, Dec. 7, Purple Hills Arts and heritage Society is presenting JS Bach’s Long Walk in the Snow, a chamber musical from host Tom Allen with musical guests, vocalist Patricia O’Callaghan, violinist Rebekah Wolkstein, double bassist Joe Phillips, and pianist Jamie Parker. See story on page 7.
Stayner Santa Claus parade
The Stayner parade will begin at about 10:30 a.m., on Dec. 6, departing from Station Park area at 7259 Highway 26 and ending at the former Stayner Foodland location at the corner of Airport Road and William Street, where Santa will be available to meet with visitors and enjoy hot dogs and hot chocolate.
Members of the Stayner and District Kinsmen will be walking the parade route, collecting monetary (cash or grocery store gift cards) donations for the
Clearview-Stayner Food Bank from parade viewers. Anyone interested in joining the parade is asked to arrive at the tourism building at 9 a.m. for registration. A $10 entry fee (cash or grocery store gift card) will go directly to the Clearview Stayner Food Bank.
Stayner tree lighting
The tree lighting in Stayner, hosted by Clearview Township and community partners, is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4. Bring your letters for Santa, meet the North Pole Elves and of course, watch the flipping of the switch to turn on the Christmas tree lights. The Stayner Heritage Society will have a Christmas display and refreshments inside the Tourism Information Centre, at 220 Huron St.
Creemore BIA shopping day
On Nov. 29, Creemore BIA is hosting a holiday shopping kick-off event in the downtown area from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with carollers, horse- and-wagon rides and a sip-and-shop with participating retailers
Singhampton Santa Claus parade
The annual Singhampton Santa Claus parade, organized by Singhampton Clearview Fire Station 5 will be Saturday, Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m. The route will start at Singhampton Community Centre and end up at the fire hall for visits with Santa, hot cocoa and fellowship. Floats are welcome. Volunteer firefighters will be walking the parade route, collecting non perishable food donations for the Clearview Stayner Food Bank.
That day there will be a Christmas market at the community centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Charitable donations
The Creemore Firefighters Association will once again be collecting donations for its annual “Fill the Wagon” food and toy drive at the tree lighting event and will be walking the parade route to collect food, toys, and fill-the-boot cash donations, loading the ATV and trailer on behalf of St. Luke’s Community Food Bank.
The Food Bank’s current wish list includes Foodland gift cards, peanut-free granola bars, juice boxes, pasta and pasta sauce, Chunky soup, canned vegetables, peanut butter, crackers, canned tuna and ham, Kraft Dinner, Mr. Noodles, ketchup, toiletries, Kleenex, dish soap and laundry soap.
The Creemore Echo will be collecting cash, cheques and gift cards for St. Luke’s Community Food Bank (make cheques payable to St. Luke’s Anglican Church and note the donation is for the food bank) and Clearview-Stayner Food Bank. We are also collecting donations of hats, mitts and socks. The Echo’s Newsstand is open seven days a week.
Paramedics’ Food and Toy Drive
County of Simcoe Paramedic Services has launched its 23rd Annual Food and Toy Drive. Over the past 22 years, the program has collected 130,831 toys, 88,970 pounds of food, and $289,321.57 in monetary and gift card donations for families in need across the county.
New, unwrapped toys, non-perishable food items, and gift cards (please indicate the gift card value) are welcome to be donated at the designated drop-off locations. The closest dropbox is at 6993 Highway 26, Stayner.
