With countless people gathered downtown, bundled warmly during a mild winter night, the holiday decorations and Christmas lights adorned the downtown of North Bay, but the massive tree sat dark in wait for the traditional tree lighting ceremony held during the Old Fashion Christmas Walk.
When six o’clock struck, the distant sounds of percussion and brass filled the chilled air as the Saint Joseph-Scollard Hall marching band paraded Mr. and Mrs. Claus down Main Street while they rode in a horse-drawn carriage.
Once at the tree, people gathered closely to witness the bright lights illuminate the downtown and the official commencement of the local holiday season.
People of all ages and families of all sizes took the opportunity to celebrate this night together, as Friday marked the 28th Annual Old Fashioned Christmas Walk.
Stores held doors wide open in welcome, many serving cookies and hot chocolate and candy canes and more, while many more had bands playing classic Christmas music to perpetuate the holiday spirit.
The horse-drawn carriage rides pulled people across the downtown the cool winter night, through the packed streets, closed to traffic, as people stopped for beavertails, or to roast marshmallows over the open fire.
Across downtown was the Railjam Snowboard Competition, where participants cruised down the ramp outside Cheapskates, while at the Empire Living Centre their Festival of Trees held a host of beautifully decorated trees from local organizations. People can visit them this weekend to view and bid on these trees to collect for their own homes.
