Christmas in the Village returning to Whycocomagh

‘All the community organizations are involved’

Potluck suppers, parades and guided hikes will draw people from far and wide to Whycocomagh in the coming days as community leaders work to create a sense of community and recreate memories of Christmas celebrations of old.

Attracting all those people will be Christmas in the Village, a sixyear tradition in Whycocomagh that grew from a Christmas tree lighting custom hosted by the community’s Lions Club.

Terry Gillis, who helps to create Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre events for the festival, said the tree lighting was always an event enjoyed by young and old, but it only lasted a few hours on one evening each year.

She said business owners and others suggested something bigger would be enjoyed by all.

“They reached out to them and they reached out to the development commission to see what interest there might be in making it to a community wide event,” she said.

“It blossomed from there so that now all the community organizations are involved.”

The businesses sponsor trees in the festival and sponsor wreathes that go around the community.”

Over the next seven days, just about every organization in the community will either organize or be part of Christmas in the Village, she said.

Though the events are somewhat of a reminder of the importance of supporting local businesses and the jobs they create, creating a sense of community togetherness is the bigger goal.

“One of the churches is doing a potluck meal so everybody can take food and share it around the table just as a chance to get together and be with neighbours — kind of the way they used to do it,” she said.

“In that sense it is just trying to keep that part alive — the togetherness of Christmas and sharing things with people.”

Markets, teas, fashion shows and breakfast events are also seen as community spirit builders.

None of them are as popular, though, as the Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony on Friday that inspired that first festival six years ago and has closed every one since then.

“I enjoy the parade,” said Gillis. “We usually put a float in where I work. It’s so much fun when you have the music blasting and see the kids excited to see the floats go by and waiting for Santa at the end.”

A good turnout of children includes those who live in Whycocomagh and nearby communities. Those who have moved away often bring their children and grandchildren home for that event, too.

“They might not live here, but they come home that weekend now so that the kids can see the activities and parades. It’s another way to draw the community together at a time outside of the summer festival.”