Dozens of people excited to kick off the holiday season gathered at Veterans Memorial Park in Shawville on Friday night to witness the town’s annual tree lighting event.
The celebration began with a group of carolers singing several Christmas songs, before Shawville mayor Bill McCleary and Clarendon mayor Ed Walsh took to the podium with their words of welcome. Emcee of the night, Patti Moffatt, then spoke about the meaning of Christmas. She asked attendees to think of the most favourite gift they’ve ever received.
“No matter what gift you are thinking of, there’s a gift far more precious and wonderful that you were given by someone who loves you so much more than anyone who has ever given you a gift before,” Moffatt said, adding, “The plan of salvation that we celebrate every Christmas is far better than a puppy or a pony, a bike or an iPad.”
The countdown then began and the park was lit up, much to the delight of those in attendance. Christmas classic Away in a Manger was sung and Moffatt gave some closing remarks.
“Tonight as you leave here, I hope you go looking forward to all the fun and festivities that await you this holiday season, but most importantly I hope you leave here knowing that you are loved more than you can possibly imagine and that because of what Christmas is truly about, you’re never alone.”
by Liz Draper
On Saturday evening, just under 24 hours later, children lined up on Shawville’s Main Street, waiting for Santa to drive into town for the 63rd annual holiday parade.
About 20 floats from local businesses, community groups, churches and individual residents paraded down Main Street to Veteran’s Memorial Park before meeting up again at the fairgrounds where Shawville and Clarendon municipalities awarded them gift cards for local businesses.
R. M. Lang won a prize for the biggest float entry, Custom Tree Services won the Mayor’s Pick award and the Shawville Lions Club won the overall entry award, to name but three of the nine awards given out on Saturday.
After the parade, Santa was dropped off by the Lions Club float at the Shawville Community Lodge where he greeted a line out the door of kids bundled up in their snowsuits. Santa accepted their holiday wish lists and the kids each took home some candy and a Christmas colouring book.
by Sarah Pledge Dickson
