For some, the start of the holiday season in Orillia is marked by the Santa Claus parade. For others, it’s whenever stores start playing Christmas music.
For many Orillians, however, the festive season officially began Friday night with the annual Children's Candlelight Parade.
Hundreds of kids and their families gathered at the Royal Canadian Legion at the bottom of Mississaga Street, where they were offered hot chocolate and battery-operated “candles” before marching up to the Orillia Opera House to watch the lighting of the tree.
Stephen Travers, who served as the town crier for the evening, rang his bell as the parade proceeded along the main street.
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,” he yelled upon arriving at the tree, “as official town crier for this special event, I bring news of the greatest importance.”
Despite the urgency of his tone, it wasn’t exactly breaking news: He announced that local children had led the procession to kick off the festive season in typical Orillia fashion.
The excited children arrived to find Santa Claus waiting.
Before the crowd dispersed, Travers thanked the Salvation Army for the hot chocolate, Mariposa Market for the sugar cookies, and Orillia Power for overseeing the lighting of the tree.
