Christmas on the Mersey
With the holiday season all but upon us, members of the committee organizing Christmas on the Mersey celebrations are busy finalizing plans for the annual event that not only includes many returning favourites, but also features several new activities that will surely put everyone in the spirit.
One of those new projects, Trees in the Park, has received overwhelming support from the community right out of the gate, according to Melissa Robinson, manager of Liverpool’s Best Western who is organizing the project with local business owner Chassity Allison.
“Initially, our goal was to have 25 Christmas trees in the park along the banks of the river, each sponsored by a local business,” she explains. However, she adds, by the Oct. 31 deadline, they had not only reached their goal, but had surpassed it with 28 businesses having signed up.
Robinson explains that each participating business will have their own tree along the waterfront and they will be able to decorate them as they like. All trees will be lit on Thursday, Nov. 22 following the lighting of the tree at the Liverpool town hall and a parade of lights to the waterfront.
“In preparation for Liverpool welcoming visitors during the 2018 Christmas season,” Robinson explains the South Queens Chamber of Commerce decided to organize the trees in the park project as a way to enhance the beauty of Liverpool’s waterfront during this wonderful time of year.
The cost to purchase a tree was $50, with all proceeds, minus the costs of the trees, going to the Queens Transit Society.
Robinson explains the Christmas trees will be installed the week before the Christmas on the Mersey celebration, in time to light up the waterfront for these festivities.
“We will continue to leave the trees lit over the holiday season, creating a beautiful ambiance for local people and visitors as they visit our shops and explore Queens County,” she says.
The Christmas on the Mersey festivities officially get underway on Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. with a tree lighting ceremony on Main Street in front of the town hall and the children’s choir singing Christmas carols. From there, participants will parade to the waterfront for the lighting of the trees in the park.
Robinson explains the Native Council of Nova Scotia will also be participating in this portion of the program, as they will carry lit torches in canoes down the Mersey River.
“It will be a beautiful sight,” she explains pointing out that the 545 Privateer Air Cadets and members of the Queens Orange Rangers will be also be taking part in the program, as will the Region of Queens, which has agreed to keep the lights lit throughout the three-weeks of celebrations.
Other activities planned for the Christmas on the Mersey celebrations include a Christmas craft fair on Nov. 24 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Liverpool, the Liverpool Santa Clause Parade on the evening of Nov. 25, the Festival of Trees at the Queens County Museum, Merchant Day celebrations on Dec. 1 in Liverpool, the annual Kiwanis Christmas Concert on Dec. 2 at The Astor Theatre and the Holiday House Tour on Dec. 8.