It’s hard to maintain that ‘small-town feeling’ with more than 10,000 people milling about, but every November Cookstown is transformed into an old-fashioned Christmas village with Yuletide carolers in Dickensian costumes, holiday readings, a parade of antique steam engines, the arrival of Santa Claus and, of course, the lighting of the village’s official Christmas tree.

It’s Cookstown’s annual Light Up Night and for more than 20 years, downtown merchants, service clubs, theatre groups and churches dress up in their Christmas best to mark the official arrival of the holiday season.

This year’s event, on Nov. 9 from 6 to 10 p.m., will attract more than 10,000 people to the area centred at the intersection of  County Roads 89 and 27, according to Laurie Munroe of Will Silk’s General Store.

“All the stores decorate their windows and put up lights, there are 48-inch Christmas wreaths on all the light standards, there are treats — cider or hot chocolate or whatever — at every store, we light up the Christmas tree and the kids get to sit on Santa’s knee right in front of the post office,” said Munroe. “There’s a ham supper at the Cookstown United Church at 5 p.m. and people come from far away for that, too.”

The South Simcoe Theatre provides roving carolers, buskers and other entertainment and the organizers of the Georgian Bay Steam Show provide one of the most unique Santa Claus parades in Ontario with dozens of antique steam engines and farm combines.

“The parade is supposed to start at 8:30, but I always remind people these are antique machines and sometimes, especially on a cold night, they might need a little more time to get up to speed.”

Organized by the Cookstown Chamber of Commerce, the event began more than 20 years ago —no one seems to know exactly when — as a simple ‘meet the merchants’ night, according to Councillor Lynn Dollin, whose Ward 7 includes Cookstown.

“Over the years, other groups got involved and it’s become one of the most anticipated events of the year. It’s fun to see everyone out on the street meeting their neighbours,” said Dollin, who operates her own store, Just Because, in the downtown core.

The event creates a lot of community spirit, said Innisfil Mayor Brian Jackson.

“It’s a notable opportunity for everyone to come and share that Christmas spirit,” said Jackson. “It’s wonderful to see the buildings come alive and everyone having a good time.”

And it’s something that could only happen in Cookstown, according to Ward 6 Councillor Rod Boynton.

“Cookstown has an ambience, a heritage and a rich history. It’s the best place in the world for an old-fashioned Christmas,” Boynton said.

For more information on Light Up Night, visit www.cookstown.ca or call 705-458-9212.