Old Fashioned Christmas Schedule Announced
Skating, sleigh rides, craft workshops and a visit from Santa are among the festivities scheduled for the 10th annual Old Fashioned Christmas at Sherbrooke Village. This year's event will be held from Friday, Nov. 25, to Sunday, Nov. 27.
"This year, in respect of time constraints placed on visitors and volunteers at such a busy time, we are condensing the event into one weekend," said George Brothers, manager of program development for Sherbrooke Village.
"We will still have nearly 30,000 lights on display throughout the entire Christmas season, and cutting back to one weekend allows for an increased number of community-related Christmas functions to take place. This year there will be wider variety of activities than ever before, packed into one great weekend."
New this year will be the Old Fashioned Christmas button, a souvenir item that allows participants to receive discounts at a number of paid events and free admission to others. The purchase of a $5 button offers savings of $11 off regular event costs.
Friday night's opening activities begin with the traditional tree lighting ceremony at Maple Manor seniors' complex, followed by a candlelight procession to the Village Square. Kidd Brothers will provide the entertainment and there will be free hot chocolate and snacks, followed by a visit from Santa and a fireworks display. After the fireworks, there will be a free family skate at St. Mary's Recplex and karaoke at the Exhibit Centre.
The weekend's events include adult and children's craft workshops, wagon rides, craft show, holiday luncheon, village walking tour, house tours and a children's scavenger hunt.
Saturday will begin with breakfast at the Lions Hall and also features a Victorian Tea, scavenger hunt, and a Courthouse Ceilidh featuring Roly and Ellie Burton and Bob MacDonald, with special guest Troy MacGillivray. The day will end with a dinner and dance at the Liscombe Lodge.
Sunday will feature the Groaning Board Christmas Feast and Grand Finale Concert, which this year will be held in St. James Presbyterian Church. The concert features some of the best local entertainers, headlined by Celtic harpists Ardyth and Jennifer, who have become audience favourites at Sherbrooke Village over the past several years. Ardyth and Jennifer will also be featured at the Sunday afternoon Ceilidh along with Roly and Ellie Burton and Bob MacDonald. For information call toll-free at 1-888-743-7845. A complete list of activities is also available online at www.oldfashionedchristmas.ca .