Hub Staff

Southampton's Christmas season officially kicked off Thursday evening, November 26 with the Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Olde Town Hall as well as Southampton Sparkles, where local merchants stayed open late and shoppers came out to look for deals this holiday season.

Robin Woods from 98 The Beach was Master of Ceremonies for the ceremony, where Irish dancers from Celtic Academy started off the proceedings with Irish Jigs and Reels.

Saugeen Shores Mayor, Mike Smith welcomed the community and wished everyone the best of the season. “We get so tied up in so many of the things that we think are important on a day to day basis and we worry about those things but as we get close to Christmas those things don't get so important,” he said. “We understand really what is important in our life, our family, our friends and our community. So take a little time to think about that and think about those people who are a little bit less fortunate than us because Christmas is really about giving and celebrating with all those people.”

The mayor asked for several children to come up and help with the switching on of the tree lights and after a countdown of the tree lights were on and the holiday season in Southampton was underway.

The Chantry Singers continued the ceremony by singing carols, including Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, White Christmas and Jingle Bell Rock and residents and visitors headed to the local stores for some Christmas shopping.

The Southampton Arts Centre, with its new entrance on High Street, had a sudden flood of people, said Gallery Director, April Patry. “It's been a really good day,” said Patry, adding that there had been a steady stream of people all day checking out their 'Christmas in the Gallery' open house.