The Minden Hills community services department is inviting the public to a tree lighting ceremony in the Village Green, along Bobcaygeon Road between Water Street and Newcastle Street, Nov. 15 from 6-8 p.m.
They are encouraging families to help decorate the tree, sing some carols, and kick off the festive season in the village.
The annual Santa Claus parade is Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. The parade will start at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena and travel along Parkside Street before moving south along Bobcaygeon Road to Newcastle Street and finishing at the township municipal building parking lot off of St. Germaine Street.
People are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to be collected by Minden Community Food Centre volunteers for the food bank. They are also urged to bring letters to Santa, to be collected by Minden Hills staff.
After the parade, Christmas in the Village returns to the Minden Hills Cultural Centre from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Join us for a festive celebration at the Heritage Village and Nature’s Place Interpretive Centre,” director of community services, Candace McGuigan, said.
She said people can look forward to: a local artisan market; holiday décor; Christmas ornament crafts; old-fashioned candy shop; hot chocolate; Santa’s visit after the Santa Claus parade; a Santa letter-writing station; Pockets the Clown providing face painting; story time when Santa arrives at the village and button-making in the afternoon offered by the Haliburton County Public Library; book sale hosted by the Friends of the Haliburton County Public Library.
Admission is by donation, and no registration is required. The Minden Hills Cultural Centre is located at 176 Bobcaygeon Rd., and is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the Cultural Centre’s social media calendar page: facebook.com/mindenculturalcentre.
