MANITOULIN—There are many holiday events across Manitoulin to enjoy this Christmas season from craft sales, cookie walks, parades and much more.
In the West End there is lots of festive fun to be had! In Gore Bay, starting this Saturday, November 29, the annual tree lighting ceremony will kick off the town’s holiday activities at 7 pm in front of the Gore Bay Community Hall. There will be Christmas carols, a visit from Santa Claus, cookies and refreshments following the tree lighting inside the hall. As well, participants in the Elf Yourself Hat Decorating Contest will be judged.
The My Ol’ Blues Elf Yourself Hat Decorating Contest is a chance for individuals to be wacky, scary, silly or young. Participants can pick up their hats at My Ol’ Blues. The cost to enter the contest is $2 and is open to all ages.
The Gore Bay Santa Claus Parade will take place on Saturday, December 6 starting at 7:30 pm and will be leaving from C.C McLean School. Anyone interested in entering a float can call Jeremy at 705-282-2420.
Also on Saturday there will be an Anglican Christmas luncheon, bazaar, cookie walk and candy table at the Lyon’s Memorial United Church Hall in Gore Bay. The bazaar will be from 11 am to 2 pm and lunch from 11 am to 2 pm. Admission is $8 for adults, kids five to eight, $3.50; and kids five and under, $2.
Gordon/Barrie Island is once again putting on its Advent Festival Market this weekend at the Gordon Hall (29 Noble Side Road). The event will run Friday, November 28 from 5 to 8 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. Friday night there will be a wiener roast for the kids, while adults can share a glass of mulled wine while visiting with friends and neighbours. There will also be carol singing and great shopping throughout the weekend with work from Island artists and artisans. As well, there will be wagon rides, a visit from Santa, a silent auction and Advent star counting contest. Stars will be located around the municipality visible from the roads and highways. Find all the stars and enter the contest for your chance to win.
In Kagawong the Manitoulin Community Choir will present its Song and Cider at the Kagawong Park Centre on Saturday, November 29 at 7:30 pm. Admission is $10 per person or $20 a family.
In Assiginack, the ‘Catch the Candy Cane’ contest is in full swing (having started last week), but runs until Saturday, December 20. Twenty two-foot candy canes have been placed at various locations throughout the municipality. To participate record all 20 locations and the number on the candy cane and your name will be entered into a draw. Hints will be given out on the Township of Assiginack Facebook page throughout the contest. Entries are to be sent to info@assiginack.ca or dropped off at the municipal office before December 20.
There will be a Snow Flake Luncheon at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Manitowaning today (Wednesday, November 26) from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The meal includes soup, sandwiches, squares and a beverage for $8 with takeout available (705-859-3041 or 859-3426).
Also in Assiginack, Christmas Madness in Manitowaning will be held Friday, November 28. Manitowaning’s business community will be open in the evening from 6 to 8 pm to give shoppers extra hours of holiday shopping fun. There will be great deals and free draws!
Dress warm and prepare for holiday fun, because Manitowaning will also be having its annual Santa Claus parade Friday evening.
After the parade, stop by the Knox United Church Hall for a toy sale from 7 to 9 pm with the proceeds going towards the hall.
Saturday, November 29 marks the fifth annual Christmas in Tehkummah at the Tehkummah Hall from 10 am to 3 pm. There will be local vendors, a soup lunch at noon and draws and prizes.
The following day the hall will host a pancake breakfast with Santa Claus from 9 am to noon. The price will be $8 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12 and free for children five and under.
The twenty-sixth annual Wikwemikong Christmas Telethon will be held at the Wikwemikong council chambers on Saturday, December 13 from noon to 6 pm. Funds raised will help Children in need in that community.
In Little Current, the annual Christmas Fair at Little Current United Church (LCUC) will start Friday, November 28 from 5 to 9 pm and Saturday, November 29 from 9 am to 2:30 pm.
Check out the Christmas Art Show at the Little Current Public Library opening on Saturday, November 29 with a reception from 1 to 4 pm. All works will be priced at $100, with funds being split between the artist and the library.
Also on Saturday there will be the Manitoulin Health Centre Auxiliary’s annual cookie walk from 9 am to noon at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall.
The Island Singers will be performing their Christmas Concert with director Dorothy Anstice and accompanists Holly Scott and violinist Ashlyn Cooper. There will be solos by Heather and Chris Theijsmeijer, Karen Doughty and Lydia Burlein. This year’s line up will include Christmas favourites by Bach, Haydn, Handel, Mozart, Tallis and Rutter. The concert will be performed in Little Current at the LCUC on Sunday, November 30 at 7:30 pm and Monday, December 1 at 7:30 pm at the Mindemoya Missionary Church. Admission is $12 at the door.
Fill up on holiday cuisine at Little Current’s Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Friday, December 5 at the annual Christmas dinner. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under. For tickets call Janice Mastelko at 705-368-2999, Carrolyn Harper at 705-368-2946 or Joanne Wade at 705-368-3182.
On Saturday, December 6 LCUC will hold its Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 9 to 10:30 am at the LCUC Hall. The cost is $5 a person and includes a breakfast of juice, bacon, sausage and pancakes. There will be surprise gifts from Santa for each child so bring your camera to take pictures!
St. Bernard’s Church in Little Current will be having its annual Snowflake Tea and Bazaar on Saturday, December 6 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The price will be $8 for adults and $5 for children five to 12 and includes soup, sandwich and dessert.
Later on Saturday, be sure to check out the eighth annual Little Current Santa Claus Parade starting at 6 pm. To register your float or walking group call Heidi at 705-368-2825.
Get in the Christmas spirit through song at the LCUC. The choir will be singing Christmas music and there will be a carol sing-a-long on Sunday, December 7 at 7 pm. There will be a silver collection for the Manitoulin Family Resources Food Bank.
The Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre will be holding a Pancake Breakfast with Santa as well on Sunday, December 7 from 10 am to 3 pm. The hot pancake breakfast will be at 10 am and children’s photos can be taken with Santa. There will also be a toy drive and Christmas craft show throughout the day.
The Treasure Christmas Craft Show will be returning to Mindemoya this year on Saturday, November 29 from 9 am to 2 pm at the Mindemoya Missionary Church. There will be lots of great gift buys, baked goods and a visit from Santa from 11 am to 1 pm. All proceeds will go to the Manitoulin Family Resources Help Centre Building Fund.
Also in Mindemoya, be sure to attend the Journey to Bethlehem on Friday, December 5 or Saturday, December 6 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm. The multidenominational, family-oriented outdoor presentation of the Christmas story is an Island favourite event that draws in large crowds from throughout Northern Ontario.
The Kids Shop for Free Day will be held on Saturday, December 13 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Mindemoya United Church. The event, started by the late Marion Seabrook, allows children 12-years-old and under to shop for gifts for siblings, parents and grandparents while adults enjoy coffee and goodies. Donations of new or gently used items may be dropped off at Mindemoya United Church on Thursday and Saturday mornings from 9:30 am to noon. For more information contact Willie Munro at 705-282-8541 or Tom McQuay, 705-377-5783.
Check out future editions of The Expositor for more upcoming holiday fun!
