Presents:
Kintail Country Christmas returns on December 15
Celebraon of Lights Let the Spirit of the Season embrace you as Victoria Park Campground comes alive with illuminaon!
Celebraon of Lights presented by
Together Smiths Falls, Community Enhancem ent
Associaon
November 24 - December 31st, 2018 5:00 - 10:00 pm Victoria Park Campground, Smiths Falls
There is no admission charge to visit the eve nt.
Photo credit: Stacey Roy.
Regional - Stacey Roy editorial@pdgmedia.ca There is no place in the valley where you can find the magic of Nat King Cole’s white Christmas better than at the 12th annual Kintail Country Christmas at the Mill of Kintail Dec. 15. This highly anticipated community event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. just outside of Almonte and is set in a beautiful woodland conservation area that a trio of staff is currently transforming into a sparkling Christmas landscape for one and all to enjoy this month. “It’s actually quite fun,” said Stephanie Kolsters, museum cura-
tor and site supervisor at the mill, of the decorating. This classic country Christmas scene is brought to life that day with the help of countless volunteers and entertainers who operate free wagon rides around the venue, demonstrate outdoor woodworking techniques and keep the bonfire stoked to warm red cheeks of bundled up participants of all ages. Craft tables and a children’s only gift shop with items under $10 will entice the youngest in from the outdoors to warm up. Kids can take home a bag of handmade reindeer food to sprinkle on their front lawns so Rudolph and
his eight friends won’t be hungry while waiting for Santa’s many deliveries. The jolly man in red will be returning this year, but in a new location. Staff have moved Santa’s big red chair to the front room of the gatehouse in hopes of spreading the crowd out across the site. “It’s going to ease up on the congestion,” Kolsters said. This is especially important for the crowd that is expected to gather for the lively music of fiddle player Ken Ramsden who will be inside the museum at the base of the site. “He’s a huge highlight with stories by the fire,”
Come capture the magic of the holiday seas on as you walk or drive through the many beauful ligh t displays in Victoria Park Campground along the Rideau Canal. Visit our website at www.togethersmithsfalls .com or our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/smithsfallscelebraono flights
Kolsters said. Visitors are encouraged to sit down amongst the cotton-filled winter scenes atop the piano and the smell of real pine wreaths and boughs for a classic Christmas story and a tune or two. Admission to such a magical Christmas experience is just $10 a vehicle. Kolsters said the mill reduced their
fees in the past from $15 to encourage all families to come out and experience the day. “For me, it’s great when you see a minivan and it contains all generations,” Kolsters said. Such a lengthy list of happenings can’t be done without a team of volunteers. The Mill of Kintail thanks these individuals from the
Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists, Ramsay Women’s Institute, North Lanark Regional Museum and Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, as well as Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) staff, family and friends who contribute to make this day special every year. For more information please call Kolsters at 613-256-3610 ext. 2.
Upcoming events The annual Kintail Country Christmas takes place the weekend after the Almonte Santa Claus Parade, which is slated for Sunday, Dec. 9 from 5-7 p.m. The parade starts at the Almonte & District Community Centre and makes its way down Mill Street, around town and back again. Hot chocolate, hot dogs,
and public skating at the arena will be on tap following the parade. If you want to keep the country in Christmas consider taking in the Pakenham Santa Claus Parade as it makes its way through the village on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 1-3 p.m.