Sherbrooke Christmas market well underway
There are still two weekends left to visit the Christmas activities at Sherbrooke’s marché de la Gare. On Saturday and Sunday December 14-15 and 22-23, more than 40 local producers, merchants, and artisans will have their wares on display for anyone who has yet to get all they need for the holidays.
In addition to the usual selection of meats and cheeses, gift ideas, Yule logs, and arts and crafts that are for sale, the market is also offering a range of welcoming and entertaining activities for visitors of all ages throughout the holiday season.
“By setting up a stage in a large central space for story time and music shows, we aim to create an atmosphere focused on the spirit of the various events,” said Sylvie-luce Bergeron, president of Fééries hivernales de Sherbrooke, the organization which organizes most wintertime activities in the city of Sherbrooke.
On the schedule in terms of animation are story times, visits from Santa Claus, and a range of musical presentations. On Sunday, the market site also hosts horse-drawn carriage rides throughout the day. Unlike in past years, the Christmas market offers neither a ferris wheel nor a large slide for children this holiday season. More information about the lineup of musical guests and performances is available online www.noelaumarche.com
Les plantations Stephan Perreault has also set up its annual display of locally grown Christmas trees and wreaths, not only giving people the opportunity to buy their tree without leaving town, but also giving the whole market and added festive feeling.
Two new artworks have also been set up at the market to help get visitors in the holiday spirit. The first, a 12 foot tall Santa Claus, was created by Lennoxville resident Jacques Gauthier. The second is a “ecofriendly” Christmas tree made out of 750 plastic water bottles created by l’atelierd’exceptions, an initiative of the Centre d’éducation populaire de l’estrie at (CEP)
Alongside the Market, Sherbrooke Tourism Agency Destination Sherbrooke has relaunched its annual “elf hunt,” and is inviting people to help find Santa’s elves hidden in each of the city’s downtown murals. Participants can pick up a flyer and game sheet at the tourism bureau at the corner of King and Richmond Streets near the market, or online at elfhunt.ca.
The annual marché de la Gare Christmas Market is coordinated by Fééries hivernales de Sherbrooke in collaboration with the Government of Quebec and Destination Sherbrooke.