Marshville Heritage Society hopeful it can recover after cancelling major annual events
Group decided to call off Christmas in the Village event in November
The Marshville Heritage Society knows all about recovering.
In late August 2018, The Minor House, a heritage building on the grounds of its annual festival, was destroyed by fire.
The three-day gathering that draws around 15,000 people each year still went on to be a success only a week after the blaze, as well as in 2019.
For more than 30 years, the Marshville Heritage Festival has been one of Niagara’s signature events.
The plug was pulled on this year’s edition in May, about two months after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Recently, the heritage society decided to cancel its Christmas in the Village event that would have been held this month, and has been going on for about 25 years.
“It certainly was a tough decision to make,” said Margaret Robertson, former chair and current committee member.
It wouldn’t be appropriate to ask Marshville’s mostly senior volunteer base to put themselves at risk.
However, the Township of Wainfleet and Meridian Credit Union have taken the reins and will be hosting a Christmas market on Nov. 15, 22, 29, as well as on Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It will be held at the pavilion behind the Wainfleet Arena off Dayboll Lane on the west side of the Township complex off Si
“If we’re careful, we can recover from it. Hopefully it goes next year.” MARGARET ROBINSON FORMER CHAIR AND CURRENT COMMITTEE MEMBER ON CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE
deroad 20, says a news release from the township.
There are 38 vendors lined up currently.
The Marshville village, owned by the township, has been unused other than for a couple of weddings since the shutdown started, said Robertson.
With the new Christmas market being taken on by the municipality nearby, Robertson says it’s “nice to see” the area being used and that the society is supportive of the event.
The society’s budget comes entirely from admission fees at the summer heritage festival. No funding from the provincial or federal government benefits the society.
Robertson said the community has its fingers crossed that 2021’s gathering won’t be compromised.
“If we’re careful, we can recover from it. Hopefully it goes next year,” she said.
Wainfleet Mayor Kevin Gibson said “these kinds of markets are really important to rural communities,” calling it a “a really special opportunity for people to get together safely and sample some of the unique and special gifts Wainfleet has to offer.”
The upcoming vendor market is “part of a wider initiative designed to support small business and promote the idea of shopping locally,” says the township.
Vendor fees, as well as donations of food and toys brought in by shoppers, will go toward supporting the Wainfleet Volunteer Firefighters Association annual Christmas basket drive.