Cobourg welcomes back Christmas Magic

Photo by Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, LJI

By Cecilia Nasmith

The Town of Cobourg welcomes Christmas with lights, events and family fun on Friday, Nov. 21.

Along with the annual Christmas Magic Light Up Ceremony, an expanded Holiday Market that precedes it from 4 to 9 p.m. features the Enbridge Gas Lounge, live reindeer, horse-drawn wagon rides, photos with Santa and live music.

The Enbridge Gas Lounge on Albert Street will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. for a warm-up, and the main action is on King Street with local vendors, artisanal goods and holiday treats – not to mention DJ Joel Wesley and holiday tunes from Wee B. Chillun Disc Jockey. Free horse-and-wagon rides begin at the Albert Street transit shelter, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus are ready for their close-up with you at the Ganaraska Financial Credit Union (with free hot chocolate served by the Rotary Club of Cobourg).

William Academy volunteers will be handing out the Little Book of Big Savings, and the Trinity United Church Handbell Choir will set up in front of Victoria Hall just prior to the official Victoria Hall light-up at 6 p.m. (bring a non-perishable donation for the food bank in exchange for a light up).

The action expands after the Victoria Hall event, with a second light-up at Rotary Harbourfront Park at 6:45 p.m., with emcee York Bell Smith (amid the sparkle, shine and live reindeer). The live band Vinyl Groovs plays at this park until 9 p.m., where you can also take in the festive holiday window mural generously created by Northumberland Players.

Food will be available for purchas on-site, and restrooms will be open at Victoria Hall and the Albert Street shelter (along with portable washrooms on Second Street).

Road closures and transit adjustments will apply to accommodate the festivities.

Albert Street will be closed from Third to Division from noon to 9 p.m.

King Street West will be closed from Spring to Division from 2 to 10 p.m., as will Second Street from King Street West to Albert.

Cobourg Transit's fixed-route service will have a downtown detour in place – no stops will be missed, though there may be delays.

The downtown terminal location will be changed from the Albert Street building to Third Street (behind the LCBO) from noon to 9 p.m.

Christmas Magic lights will be on every evening, from dusk until 10 p.m., throughout Rotary Harbourfront Park and Victoria Park – stroll at your own pace and soak in the holiday spirit. The Victoria Park lights will shine nightly through Jan. 4, and the Rotary Harbourfront Park lights through Family Day weekend.

Christmas Magic began more than 30 years ago and has become one of the town's most beloved annual community events, brought to you each year through a collaboration between the town and some hard-working, dedicated volunteers,

New this year, the Cobourg Public Library at 200 Ontario St. is joining the festivities with outdoor holiday displays.

As well, this year features a tribute to Serena Tinney.

Each year, the town has been grateful to have the involvement of two community partners in its Christmas Magic event – Ryan Loughlin of Ironwood Tree and Landscape Inc. and Rob Tinney of Northumberland Crane and Tree Service. Throughout the year, both receive calls from residents who need trees removed from their properties. The town does not cut trees for Christmas Magic, and Tinney and Loughlin work with these homeowners and encourage them to wait until November.

At that point, they carefully cut the trees, float them to Rotary Park and crane them into place for the holiday season.

In the spring, the trees are mulched and spread throughout Cobourg's parks and playgrounds, continuing to give back to the community they once helped to decorate.

This year, Tinney suffered the heart-breaking loss of his wife Serena after a courageous battle with cancer. In honour of Serena and the Tinney family, Experience Cobourg is deeply humbled to dedicate the trees on the Esplanade to her memory.

For more information about Christmas Magic and all of this season's events, visit ExperienceCobourg.ca