Organizers thrilled with huge turnout for Midnight Madness
Midnight Madness 2017 brought droves of people to TBL’S commercial centre, including two busloads from Montreal. With not a parking place to find, organizers and local citizens estimate that almost double the volume of people attended the evening extravaganza that highlighted rides on a horse-drawn wagon, a treasure hunt, live music from all corners of the event’s designated zone, bonfires, carollers, lots of dining, shopping and food sampling, and even dancing in the park’s gazebo that was festooned with the new feature of hand-painted lanterns. All feedback about this event has been more than positive and many say that an event like this more frequently would be a great injection to the town. The success, they believe, is attributed to a combination of great weather, collaboration with the other Christmas markets, and more advertising.
Maria Cordaro, coordinator for Tourisme Lac-brome, was ecstatic about the turnout of the event. She was
especially pleased with the reaction of the crowds to the lanterns in Coldbrook Park. It was a project submitted to Action Lac-brome by Sylvain Bolduc of the magazine “Vivre Ici.” Almost 40 people participated in painting the lanterns under the supervision and coordination of local artist who owns Hors Cadre, Isabelle Daval. “She is an inspiration, so creative and so energetic,” exclaimed Cordaro. “So many people are saying how beautiful the village of Knowlton looks tonight. It has come alive.”
That the gingerbread house contest was not a part of the program this year, Cordaro is confident that it will be reintroduced next time along with what they are hoping will be another lantern festival.
Cordaro says that the people working in tourism have an abundance of ideas and are very motivated to bring people to the area.
The music piping inside the gazebo that was festooned with hand-painted lanterns set the romantic stage for this couple to dance.