The community gathered in Southampton November 21 to celebrate Christmas spirit and take part in the annual Tree Lighting ceremony at the Southampton Town Hall.

Hub Staff

The rain didn't dampen the holiday spirit of the families and friends who gathered to attend the Tree Lighting ceremony at the Southampton Town Hall November 21.

Robin Woods from 98 the Beach welcomed everyone and introduced the dancers from Mary Foley’s Celtic Academy Canada. Junior and senior dancers took turns quick stepping across the wet pavement.

After the dance performances, members of the Chantry Singers gathered in front of the tree and sang several joyful carols.

“We’re not performing, we’re leading,” announced Chantry Singers Director Ann Little as she encouraged audience participation.

After the entertainment, Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau took the mic and acknowledged how fortunate those gathered are are to live in such a prosperous community, but offered a reminder that not everyone is as fortunate. Due to technical issues, he struggled to finish his speech but ended shouting, “Give generously so that we can all have a very merry Christmas."

Charbonneau requested help from four of the Celtic dancers to flip the switch to illuminate the tree. As the crowd counted down, the tree ignited at the same moment the bells from the clocktower rang out and the crowd cheered.

Southampton merchants were open until 9 p.m. for Southampton Sparkles, and offered many exclusive deals to kick-off the holiday season. More than 30 vendors filled the Southampton Town Hall and drew shoppers into a Christmas Market hosted by Kids Street Nursery.

GC Huston student Sienna located her ornament that she had hung along with her classmates earlier that day.

The Kids Street Christmas Market offered shoppers a dry spot to peruse the treasures from over 30 vendors stationed inside the Southampton Town hall.

Parker tried her best to stay dry on a drizzly evening outside the Southampton Town Hall as she watched performances from the Celtic Academy and the Chantry Singers.

Members of the Celtic Academy were not hindered by extra layers of clothing nor a wet dance floor as they performed several festive numbers for the crowd outside Southampton Town Hall.

A passionate chorus from the Chantry Singers had the crowd chiming in, raising their voices and festive spirits in Southampton, November 21 at the Tree Lighting Ceremony.