MINTO – The Town of Minto, Minto Chamber of Commerce, Minto Fire and the local downtown revitalization committees (Harriston Rising, All Aboard Palmerston and Clifford Connects) are helping local families prepare for the holiday season with a wide range of events, including shopping nights, family-fun days, Santa Claus parades and more happening in downtown centres.
Candy Canes and Cocktails
The festivities will kick off with Harriston Rising’s Candy Canes and Cocktails: A Sip and Shop Experience on Nov. 15 from 4 to 8pm.
Visitors can follow the business passport to shop the sales and enter to win $500 in prizes, taste specialty cocktails at locations throughout the downtown, listen to music by local youth while relaxing by the campfire, and more.
Light up the Park
The Palmerston Lions and All Aboard Palmerston invite all to Light up the Park on Nov. 17 from 6 to 8pm. Family-friendly activities will be spread throughout the Palmerston Lions Park, beginning with hot chocolate at the Lions’ Den.
Revellers can stay to watch a fire works show, take pictures with Santa and the Grinch, watch performances by Brant the Fire Guy and glow artist Oncidium, play reindeer games, and more.
Family day in Harriston
On Nov. 18, families are encouraged to spend the day in Harriston enjoying activities such as face painting, visits with Santa Claus, fireside stories, a vendors’ market, lunch and more. In the evening, all are welcome to the Crown Harriston to watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer before the Santa Claus parade starts at 7pm.
At 8pm, the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild welcomes everyone to get tickets for its holiday play, 12 Days ‘til Christmas featuring local talent (see greywellingtontheatre.com for details).
Kris Kringle Market
The following week, shoppers are encouraged to visit Palmerston to find the perfect holiday gift at this year’s Kris Kringle Market on Nov. 23 from 4 to 8pm. The event will feature over 40 vendors at the Minto Makers’ Market, five food trucks offering varied fare and stores will be open for late-night shopping. Families can stop for photo opportunities with holiday characters, rock out to holiday music and warm up at the outdoor firepits.
Clifford Connects Christmas
The holiday shopping events conclude with Clifford Connects Christmas in the Street event on Nov. 25 from 5 to 7pm, right before the Clifford Santa Claus Parade.
In addition to downtown shopping and a Makers’ Market, Clifford Rotary Celebration Square will be bustling with music, horse and wagon rides, balloons, a food truck, a performance by a glow artist and demonstration by a blacksmith and more.
After the parade, families are encouraged to stay for photos with Santa Claus, treat bags and a barbecue hosted by the Clifford Firefighters Association. Over $500 in prizes are available for completing the business passport. The winners of the Clifford 150th Photo Scavenger Hunt and 150 kilometres for the 150th will also be announced.
The holiday events wrap-up with one final Santa Claus parade in Palmerston on Dec. 2 at 7pm.
For more information about each event visit harristonrising.ca, allaboardpalmerston.ca and cliffordconnects.ca.
