Gracienne Swarbrick serenaded the crowds in Coulter Parkette during the 2016 tree lighting ceremony in downtown Port Elgin.

Hub Staff

The tree will be lit, the troupes will perform and the Town Cryer will once again don his tights at the annual tree lighting ceremony which coincides with Shoppers night, November 16 in Port Elgin.

The event that officially kicks off the Christmas season for business owners and the downtown core each year will take place on Mill Street instead of Coulter Parkette which is currently undergoing renovations.

A living tree donated by Everest Trees will be decorated and lit at 7 p.m. on Mill Street, just west of Goderich Street, and will later be planted and adorned with lights in Coulter Parkette once the renovations are completed. In a November 10 interview Saugeen Shores Parks Manager Frank Burrows said that renovations on the beloved parkette are expected to be completed in the latter half of November.

The tree lighting ceremony will welcome reindeer, dancers from SB Dance Academy, actors from Sandcastles Theatre and even Old Saint Nick. Many business in the downtown core will offer in-store savings while the Wismer House will be curating a Makers Market on its second floor.

Deals for Southampton stores will take place on Sparkles Night the following week, November 23 which will coincide with the Southampton tree lighting in front of the Southampton Town Hall at 6:30 p.m.

Seasonal celebrations will continue in Saugeen Shores leading up to Christmas with the Santa Claus parade taking place in Port Elgin on November 25 at 7 p.m. and in Southampton December 1 at 7 p.m.

Details subject to change.