The countdown is on for one of North Bay's longest-running holiday traditions; the Downtown Christmas Walk which takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown North Bay this Friday.
"This is one of those good community events that North Bay always comes through for and they love to get together and have a good time and we are all ready for that to happen before the panic of the Christmas season sets in," said Amber Livingstone, executive director with Downtown North Bay & Waterfront.
Livingstone says downtown construction has ended just in time for the event.
"I know when we talked with the construction people it was important to have things wrapped up prior to the event and we were promised absolutely will be and they followed through on that promise which is fantastic so it is nice for the community to come down and see the two blocks that are already finished and they will kind of have an idea what to expect next year when we get back into it with the Main West block," she explained.
A VOX Choir sing-a-long at 5 p.m. by the Christmas tree will start up the festivities which officially begin at 6 p.m.
"They are always a great group to sing with," said Livingstone.
Livingstone says there will be live music being played at various locations throughout the downtown core on Friday night.
"Some of them will be singing inside, some of them outside so that should be really fun," she said.
North Bay Hydro will be bringing down a giant light switch for them to turn on the Christmas Tree this year, while further down Main Street, Cheap Skates is hoping for enough snow to run a Rail Jam.
"If we are not blessed with snow they will pivot and host some kind of bike demonstration so they will still be having an event in front of their location," she said.
The event will wrap up with a fireworks display.
"If you want to set up at the museum, in that area it is going to be behind the museum with no issues. It is going to be a fun, fun night," said Livingstone.
Event activities include:
- VOX Choir sing-a-long
- Hydro bucket rides
- Marshmallow Roast
- BeaverTails
- North Bay Fire & Emergency Services
- The Amazing Train (electric train that seats 24 children)
- Live music
- Visits with Santa Claus
Check out the Timeline of Activities for more information.