Halloween, Remembrance Day and Christmas activities reimagined with safety and community spirit in mind

It’s shaping up to be a surprisingly busy end of year, as municipal staff and volunteers have found ways for our community to keep its traditions during these trying pandemic times.

All events are subject to change as per COVID-19 regulations. Specific timing and contact details will be released closer to each event, and mandated social distancing and face covering protocols will be followed at each in-person event.

With Halloween on a Saturday, little ghosts and goblins will be busy! Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and service clubs, everyone is invited to don their costumes and come, preferably by vehicle, to Milt Dunnell Field to be photographed for a slide show! The first 250 costumed participants will receive a free goodie bag.

The slideshow is one component of a spooky night for St. Marys: thanks to the generosity of United Way Perth-Huron, our community will be treated to an all-ages, live-stream, made-only-for-St. Marys interactive show by master magician and mentalist Lawrence Larouche, also known as Majinx. There will be 10 opportunities for residents to participate in the show – look for contests to win your spot!

Stay tuned after the show for a local ghost story, written by local history enthusiast June Cunningham and performed by personality Chet Greason. You may never look at Town Hall the same way again! Streaming details will be released closer to the night.

The Halloween fun continues on Sunday, Nov. 1, with a first-ever Pumpkins on Parade at Milt Dunnell Field. Drop off your jack-o-lantern in the afternoon, and return via vehicle come nightfall to enjoy our community’s handiwork one last time before the pumpkins are properly composted. Anyone wanting pumpkins for animal feed will be able to pre-register to pick up a supply once the parade is over.

As the calendar turns to November, our community will commemorate Remembrance Day. On Saturday, Nov. 7, Veterans’ Decoration Day (formerly the flag-planting ceremony) will occur as per tradition at St. Marys Cemetery.

There will not be a Royal Canadian Legion parade and ceremony on the Sunday prior to Remembrance Day as per Legion command recommendations. A joint ceremony will take place at the Town Hall Cenotaph on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m. In the interest of social distancing, the ceremony will be live-streamed and residents without an Internet connection will be able to call-in to listen.

The Christmas season will arrive in St. Marys on Friday, Nov. 20 as the BIA expands its Merchants Open House weekend into a full three days’ of festive events and promotions. Come evening, the lighting of the beloved WinterLights display at Milt Dunnell Field will be live-streamed for all to enjoy.

On Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m., the Kinsmen Santa Claus parade is happening – with a twist! Due to the pandemic, enjoy what’s being billed as a “Santa Shunpiker Tour”, with floats stationed around town. A map will be released the morning of the parade so you can plan your route, and don’t forget to pay a socially distanced visit to Santa Claus at Milt Dunnell Field. More information, including float application forms, will be available from the Kinsmen as the parade approaches.

Two traditions will not be taking place this year. Due to social gathering restrictions, The St. Marys Craft Show in early November has been cancelled as have the horse-drawn wagon rides at Milt Dunnell Field in December.

Considering the evolving nature of the pandemic, watch for updates and details as each event approaches. Follow @townofstmarys on Twitter and Instagram, and “Like” @stmarysontario on Facebook. Details will also be posted to our website, www.townofstmarys.com.

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Contact

Andrea Macko | Events Coordinator
519-284-2340, ext. 249 | amacko@town.stmarys.on.ca