To coincide with my previous update, one can’t mention going for a walk down NOTL’s Queen St without mentioning NOTL’s Candlelight Stroll. I know Christmas is far off right now but this has to be mentioned, write it down on your calendars! Usually the first Friday in December (the NOTL Chamber of Commerce hasn’t posted yet when this year’s Candlelight Stroll will take place, when they do, I will list it here) the NOTL Candlelight Stroll takes place. It is free to do the stroll. If you want to buy a candle then obviously you will pay, (last year’s was $3.50 I think) but keep in mind the proceeds from the candle go to a family who has a child battling a serious illness or to a serious illness that has effected a local child. So if you can afford to buy a candle it goes to a very worthy cause, but if money is tight, just show up and enjoy the stroll for free. Now dress warm! It’s December and it’s usually cold. Last year it snowed the most gorgeous snowflakes and it really made you feel like you were inside a Christmas card.
This may be my most favourite night of the whole year. There is carolling, and the shops are open, the trees are all lighted up. The street is magnificent in all its glory. I know other towns do Candlelight Strolls but honestly, they can’t compete, I know it may appear that I am biased, and maybe I am, so check it out for yourself!
The Candlelight Stroll starts with a half an hour of carolling outside of the Courthouse and then there is a horse drawn sleigh, usually the family and or the child to whom the Stroll is honouring, grand marshals the Stroll. Along the Stroll at various corners of the blocks, there are local choirs setup to perform. My favourite, as I am history buff and LOVE the tradition and the sound of, is the Fife and Drum Core from NOTL’s historic Fort George. Just spectacular!
Children love this! And as it usually starts with carolling at 6:30 it’s before a lot of children’s bed times!
Dogs can join as it is all strictly outdoors. But the same common sense rules always apply when bringing your dog some place. The year before last we watched a very inebriated couple attempting to walk their dogs into the crowd of people (there are thousands of people who attend this event, the street is packed) The humans were too busy attending to their “beverages” that they took no notice to their dogs, who were very excited by the crowd, jumping on unsuspecting bystanders. This makes me angry as if the owners were in control of the situation the dogs most likely wouldn’t have had the opportunity. I am a big defender of dogs, I am a dog person, and there is seldom such a thing as a bad dog, mostly just bad owners. So I apologize if this has a “nag” sound to it, I know there are a lot of good pet owners, keep up the good work! Please keep in mind: If you bring your dog somewhere do NOT leave your dog in the car. (As this event takes place in December when it is typically cold, don’t even think about it!) Always bring your dog plenty of water and be courteous of others that your dog does not jump on them or get tangled up in their leash. ALWAYS pick up their bathroom business as no one likes stepping in doggie pooh.
Bring your camera! It’s a magical evening and sometimes Father Christmas makes an appearance looking resplendent!
All photograpy is taken by me! I am not very good, but I love to take pictures!
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