Stephen Vance, Staff
It’s that time of year again. Downtown storefront windows will soon be covered with red plastic while shop owners and their staff create their displays for the annual BIA Downtown Christmas Window Unveiling event, which this year is being merged with the Kinsmen Club of Meaford’s annual Santa Claus Parade to create one night of holiday cheer.
This year’s festivities will take place on Saturday, November 26, and as in past years, there will be plenty of activities and fun for young and old beginning with the parade, which will begin working its way from the Tim Horton’s area to downtown at 6:30.
Once Santa has arrived downtown, he will light the tree outside Meaford Hall before heading into Rice’s Home Hardware, where he will greet youngsters and review wish-lists.
While Santa is lighting the tree, the downtown merchants will remove the covers from their windows, unveiling their holiday-themed displays to kick off the holiday shopping season.
As has become tradition, Sykes Street will be filled with street performers and a wide range of activities until roughly 8:30 p.m.
If the growls of hunger arrive there will be plenty of food to be found, including sampling the entries into the annual chili competition, that pits business owners and local service clubs against each other for the crown of best chili.
Those planning to attend are reminded that the Golden Town Outreach Food Bank will once again be collecting donations, so bring along some non-perishable food products to help those in need this holiday season.
