GORE BAY—The spirit of Christmas was certainly evident in Gore Bay last Saturday evening as the town hosted its annual tree lighting ceremony and Santa Claus Christmas parade.
“On behalf of the mayor, council and staff, I would like to thank all of you for coming out here tonight for our Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Christmas parade,” said Gore Bay councillor Jack Clark.
“At this time of the year it is important to take the opportunity to consider all the good things in life and how blessed we are to be living in Canada,” said Mr. Clark. “We are so fortunate to live here, especially when you think of the thousands, millions of people who are not nearly as fortunate as we are and don’t have all the things that we take for granted.”
“We extend the best to everyone at this busy time of the year, and hope you find the time to enjoy time with family and friends,” said Mr. Clark. “Have a great Christmas and a very happy new year.”
As part of the evening’s festivities, the Gore Bay Rotary club provided hot chocolate for all those in attendance and Robert Maxwell led everyone in singing Christmas carols prior to the parade.
“I thought this was one of the best, if not the best Christmas parade ever in Gore Bay,” said one person in attendance. “There were so many floats and many of them were so well done. It was great.”
There were close to 20 floats entered in the parade, and no doubt it was tough to select the winners of the top three floats.
The parade was led off by the Ontario Provincial Police cruiser driven by Sergeant Joshua Branicheski; the Santa Claus Parade banner was carried by Abby Witty and Stasia Carr while members of the Gore Bay and Gordon/Barrie Island Fire Department were on hand with their fire truck; the Carly Newton Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer entry; Fogals of Manitoulin; the Gore Bay-Western Manitoulin Lions Club “Old School Room” (which celebrated the 100th year of Lions International); Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha was on hand with his car as he walked alongside handing out candy; Manitoulin Transport, Rob Dearing and Son’s Contracting ‘Frosty’D Dearing and Co.’; Annette and Wendell Clarke, ‘Elves are Back in Town’; Lyons Memorial United Church Nativity scene; Gore Bay Masonic Lodge #472; Town of Gore Bay Council float; ‘Hooked on Christmas,’ the Gore Bay Recreation Committee entry; Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’; the ‘Night After Christmas’ float that included Kyle and Avery Nodecker, Ethan Witty and Cowan Orford; Island Promotional Products ‘Bonhomme de Neige’; A gift from Santa entry from McQuarrie Motor Products; ‘Winter Fun’ at Manitoulin Lodge, and last but certainly not least, the big man himself, ‘Santa with his Elves.’
Taking first place for best float was the Rob Dearing and Son’s Contracting float, while second place went to Island Promotional Products. Third place went to the Lyons Memorial United Church float.
