The Christmas season just wouldn’t be the same without the Yuletide in Lunenburg celebration.
Running this year from Nov. 30 to Dec. 8, and now in its 10th year, these events are a collaboration between the Town of Lunenburg, Lunenburg Board of Trade and Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, with participation from many local community organizations and generous volunteers within the town, says Jamie Myra, chairperson of the events committee for the board of trade.
Yuletide in Lunenburg kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 30 with the Santa Claus parade at 3 p.m., which travels up Lincoln Street to the Bluenose Academy. Later that evening, at 7 p.m., there is the annual live pilgrimage and lighting of the trees ceremony.
Throughout that day, Myra says there will be the outdoor Christmas Market by the Sea on King Street. This is an outdoor vendors’ market where visitors can get all of their Christmas needs, like greenery, hand-crafted items and much more, he says. The market is located next to the parade route, so the area is open only to foot traffic.
“Over the last several years,” says Myra, “the vendors have grown accustomed to setting up outdoors. They construct temporary shelters but still have access to electrical hookups.”
On the second weekend, Lunenburg plays host to a traditional Christmas party throughout the town on the Friday night, while on Saturday, there is the lighting of the vessels at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.
This event Includes food venders, a marshmallow roast, old-fashioned Christmas caroling led by Barbara Butler of Musique Royale, and food bank collections. There will also be free dory rides, face-painting and glow bracelets for the children. The gift shop and the first floor of the museum will be open to the public.
Saturday is the much-anticipated fireworks along with the annual Christmas craft fair at the Lunenburg Community Centre. Here, a very large collection of local vendors will be set up for more Christmas shopping needs, says Myra.
The number of attendees has increased steadily over the years for these events, says Myra. Typically, the lighting of the vessels event and fireworks alone draw several thousand people.
From a community perspective, Myra says Yuletide in Lunenburg brings people together from all over the area to help celebrate what is traditionally a very happy season.
“From an economic perspective, they help kick off our holiday season, which can be a very important season to a number of our businesses,” he adds.
What makes this year bigger and better and more special, says Myra, is the fact that there is even more collaboration between all of these different organizations. Everyone is working hard to ensure that these events are as big and successful as possible, he added.
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