Township of North Dundas Logo

Country Christmas Parade of Lights Logo

 15th ANNUAL COUNTRY CHRISTMAS  PARADE OF LIGHTS


The Big Guy Himself!

Join us for the 15th annual North Dundas Country Christmas Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 3, 2011. Witness the hospitality of a rural village transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring lights, music, shopping, food, activities and entertainment for the whole family.

• Visit with Santa and tell him your wishes
• Dine at one of the many downtown restaurants or community suppers
• Stop by a food vendor for a tasty treat
• Visit Old Town Hall for a full day of family fun
• Take a stroll downtown and browse the local businesses for all your Christmas shopping needs
• Stop by the 5th annual Parade of Lights Vendor Fair to browse through an extensive array of gifts, crafts and goodies
• At 7 pm, watch the 15th annual Parade of Lights


Bring your family and friends and share in the warmth and excitement of the Christmas spirit that will once again be alive in Winchester this December.  

 

 

What's Happening: 

Local Shopping
Time: All day
Place: Throughout Winchester
Downtown Winchester Merchants will be open for all of your holiday shopping needs. Support our local businesses while finding great gift ideas for everyone on your list. The parade committee would like to extend a thank-you to all of the local merchants who support this annual event through their involvement and/or donations. Without your generous contributions, this event would not be possible.
Please note: Business operating hours may vary.

What: Vendor Fair
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Place: The Winchester Community Centre, 577 Main Street (above the arena)
Free admission to visit with local vendors and browse through an extensive array of gift ideas, including:

• Clothing
• Kitchen supplies
• Spices
• Knitting and sewing crafts
• Home dιcor
• Baked goods
• Sauces and preserves
• Jewelry
• Toys
• Skincare
• Cosmetics
• Greeting cards
• Art and photography
• And much more!

The Dundas Food Bank will be accepting donations of new children's gifts and non-perishable food items.

For more information, or to become a vendor, please contact Meaghan Meerburg at the Township Office at 613-774-2105, or stop by at 636 St. Lawrence St. in Winchester.

Vendor Application Form – Click here

Pictures with Santa
Time: 10 am to 1:30 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm
Place: The Winchester Community Centre, 577 Main Street (above the arena)

During the Vendor Fair, kids can visit with Santa and take home an advent calendar. Margaret Link Photography will be on location again this year to take family or individual photos with Santa. Prints are $10 each and come in a holiday folio, and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Happy Face Nursery School.

Euchre Tournament
Time: 12:30 pm to 4 pm
Place: Winchester Legion Branch #108, 482 Main St. East

A good time? You bet! Register for the euchre tournament between noon and 12:30 pm; cost is $20 per team. The tournament runs from 12:30 to 4 pm.

Public Skating – FREE
Time: 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Place: The Winchester Arena, 577 Main Street

Don't have a pair of skates or a helmet? No problem! Just take advantage of the Skate & Helmet Lending Library that is available inside the arena. Simply find an arena staff member and you can borrow whatever you need from a wide assortment men's, women's, boys & girls skates and helmets! For FREE!!

Parade After Party
Time: 8 pm to midnight
Place: Winchester Legion Branch #108, 482 Main St. East

Cap off a great day with a great party! Everyone is welcome. Enjoy the musical talents of Shelley Hutt, and keep watch for a special guest! Santa will be dropping by for some fun photos. Warm up with a bowl of home-style chili and a bun, which will be available for purchase throughout the day. Snacks will also be available for purchase. Admission is free and no membership is required. The Legion will be open to age of majority only.

Magician, bake sale, crafts, face painting, and movie
Time: 11 am to 7:30 pm
Place: Winchester Cultural Centre (Old Town Hall), 478 Main St.

You won't want to miss all the fun and excitement happening at the Old Town Hall on Parade Day! With a magician, bake sale, a craft station, face painting and a special screening of The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992), there's something for everyone.

11 am: Canteen and bake sale opens, hosted by Community Living Dundas County. The canteen features coffee, tea, hot chocolate, hot dogs, popcorn, and other snack items.

11 am to 4 pm: Craft station, hosted by Happy Face Nursery School

Noon to 1 pm: Face painting by local artist Barb Buchanan (by donation)

1:30 to 2:30 pm: The magical talents of Michael Poirier ($2 admission)

2:30 to 3:30 pm: Face painting by Barb Buchanan (by donation)

4 to 5:30 pm: Doors will open at 3:30 pm for a 4 pm screening of the Muppets Christmas Carol (1992). This special screening, sponsored by the North Dundas Movie Committee, is free of charge, but donations are welcome.

7 pm: Parade time! Come in, warm up, and enjoy a hot drink or snack from the canteen during the parade.

7:30 pm: Doors close

15th Annual Country Christmas Parade of Lights
Time: 7 pm
Place: Throughout Winchester

It's Parade Time! Come out and see a variety of floats, farm equipment, and, of course, Santa Claus! The parade begins at the North Dundas Township parking lot/Hydro Yard, 636 St. Lawrence St. Click here to view the parade route.

Parade Rout – Click here

Parade Float Application Form – Click here

Reindeer Float Meals & Concessions:

Breakfast in Bethlehem
Time: 8 to 11 am
Place: United Church, 519 St. Lawrence St.
Come visit the 'stable animals,' courtesy of Vanderlaan's Barnyard Zoo. Bring your appetite, and enjoy pancakes, bacon or sausage, juice and coffee. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children aged 6 to 10, and kids aged 5 and under are free.

Breakfast with Santa
Time: 8:30 to 11:30 am
Place: Chesterville Legion, 167 Queen St.
The Rotary Club of Chesterville will be holding its annual Breakfast with Santa, serving scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausages, home fries, toast and jam, and orange juice, tea or coffee. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for kids aged 7 to 12, kids under 6 eat free. Meet with Santa between 9 and 11 am; bring home some tasty treats from the Trinity United Church bake sale; purchase fruitcakes, shortbread and calendars from the Chesterville and District Lions Club; enjoy free ice cream and hot chocolate, courtesy of the Dairy Board of Ontario; and explore a craft table, sponsored by the Trinity United Church Women.

Light lunch and concession stand
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Place: Winchester Community Centre (during the Vendor Fair)
Naomi's Family Resource Centre will be hosting a concession stand during the annual Vendor Fair. Soup, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.

Concession stand
Time: 11 am to 7 pm
Place: Winchester Cultural Centre (Old Town Hall), 478 Main St.
Community Living Dundas County will be hosting the concession stand at the Old Town Hall throughout the afternoon. Hot dogs, hot chocolate, tea, coffee and snacks will be available.

Lions Club Supper
Time: 4 to 7 pm
Place: Lions Club, 515 Albert St.
Adults can enjoy a hot meal of scalloped potatoes, ham, coleslaw, and homemade beans for $6. Kids can get a hotdog, cookie and hot chocolate for $3.

Wesleyan Church Supper
Time: 4:30 to 7:00 pm
Place: Wesleyan Church, 537 Main St.
Soup and sandwiches will be available at the Wesleyan Church again this year. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for kids aged 12 and under.

United Church Supper
Time: 4:30 to 6:30 pm
Place: United Church, 519 St. Lawrence St.
Supper includes chili, bun, dessert and a drink. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for kids aged 6 to 10. Kids aged 5 and under are free.

There will also be food vendors at the corner of Main and St. Lawrence Streets, including Beavertails, hot chocolate, hot dogs and more.

Click here to view locations.

Parade Float Parking:

South End: There is plenty of Free Parking at Winchester Grain Elevator located at 669 St. Lawrence Street (beside the railroad tracks). Handicapped parking will be available at the Parcoll Products and Winchester Print parking lot at 580 Main Street. Handicapped parking provides a view of the parade from your vehicle. Click here to view locations on map.

Child Waving Food Bank Donations:

To make your donation of a non-perishable food product or an unwrapped children's toy, bring it to the drop-off bin at the Vendor Fair (577 Main St., above the arena). As well, volunteers wearing vests and ID tags will be walking the parade route collecting monetary donations to be shared with the North Dundas Christmas Fund, which organizes the Christmas basket.

See you at the Parade!
Photos courtesy of the Winchester Press & the Township of North Dundas