A group of happy children assisted Mayor Mike Smith as they worked together to switch on the Christmas tree to officially kick off the holiday season in Port Elgin November 16.

Hub Staff

“It looks like rather a blustery day, today. If the streets could talk, they’d say, take a walk, and ask us if we’ve seen the new tree down on Green, a splendid living one, quite an impression. It will be alright, for just this night, if we have two. We will name this the thrill or the miracle on Mill.”
~ Neil Menage, Town Crier

Tree Lighting celebrations took place on Mill Street in downtown Port Elgin, November 16, to great fanfare and celebration to help kick off the holiday season. The annual event coincided with great deals in many downtown businesses during the highly anticipated Shoppers Night.

Mill Street was a substitute location for Coulter Parkette, where the event is traditionally held, as it is currently undergoing renovations. A new, living tree donated by Everest Nursery was planted earlier this week and will be decorated and adorn the downtown Green Street parkette once construction is complete.

From dancing to singing to meet and greets with Santa and Mrs Claus it was a festive night for the young and young at heart.

Many hands waved about as Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith asked for assistance in switching on the lights. It was a tough job choosing just one so many were invited to come forward and lend a hand. The lighting of the temporary Mill Street tree was followed by dance performances from Port Elgin’s SB Dance Academy. To end the celebrations, young voices from Sandcastle Theatre led the crowd in favourite Christmas songs.

Southampton’s tree lighting ceremony is set to take place November 23.

Cynthia, Holly, Cole, and Ryan stood in front of the Christmas tree decorated by the Port Elgin BIA November 16.

After masterfully executing their dance performance Paige (left), Mykenzie, and Sophia enjoyed Santa’s sleigh and watched over his reindeer while he greeted the masses.

The voices from Sandcastle Theatre got everyone singing or humming along to favourite Christmas songs November 16 at the Port Elgin tree lighting ceremony.

As the camera's flash catches the snow, Town Crier, Saugeen Shores Councillor Neil Menage, gathered the crowed of young and old on Mill Street during the tree lighting celebration November 16.

Dancers from SB Dance Academy in Port Elgin performed their routine to Meghan Trainor’s song ‘Dance Like Yo Daddy’.

These competitive dancers weathered the elements during their dance performance at Port Elgin’s tree lighting on Mill Street November 16.

Competitive dancers from SB Dance Academy in Port Elgin helped kick off the holiday season November 16 at the annual tree lighting ceremony on Mill Street.