CORNWALL, Ontario – The community Christmas tree at the Justice Building on Pitt Street lit up the night on Friday, Nov. 25 as the city held its inaugural tree lighting ceremony, part of its push to kick off the holiday season.
Ella Hopkins, 9, was in attendance and won the honour of lighting the tree which will stay alight throughout the holiday season. “I was super excited, so excited that I was almost in tears,” she exclaimed!
She added “The night was really fun and getting to light up to tree made it extra-better!”
A large crowd of over 50 people gathered in the courtyard of the Justice Building to the tune of live music and kept warm with hot chocolate on the brisk evening. Even Santa made an appearance, handing out candy canes and mingling with the crowd.
Eric Richer, who was attended the tree lighting with his two children, ages 6 and 3, was impressed with the evening.
“Cornwall is a great town and the people are always out supporting events like these and I really commend the city for putting this on.”
Food, toys, and monetary donations were accepted on behalf of Sparky’s Toy Drive, the United Way, the Salvation Army, and the Agapé Centre.
“I wanted to surprise the kids with a bit of Christmas cheer and bring them out to see the tree get lit up but to also support Sparky’s and the firefighters,” said Richer.
While the tree has been lit up throughout the holidays for a few years now, this was the first year an event was held to officially celebrate the lighting.
The display was made possible by contributors including Black & McDonald, Cornwall City Press & the Sign Factory, Cornwall Community Police Service, Cornwall Fire Department, Downtown Business Improvement Association, Metro Towing, Public Property Municipal Works, and Strathmore Tree Farm.
CogecoTV broadcast the entire event live and if you missed it, they will be re-airing throughout the next month. Their program schedule is available online at www.cogecotv.com/cornwall.
