What does a Prince, a chocolate fountain, steam engines, Santa Claus, pouring rain and art all have in common?

If you were in Cookstown on Friday night, you would have the answer. Even the Prime Minister’s right-hand man came to share a few Christmas tunes with carolers heralding from the South Simcoe Theatre.

Peter Van Loan took some time out from an intimidating schedule to watch Innisfil Mayor Brian Jackson connect the plug and start up Cookstown Light Up Night.

“The whole town is into it,” says Miki Robertson, visiting from Stroud. “It’s really great.”
Robertson brought her young girls to join in the festivities rather than going to their regular Friday night movie.

“We’re getting in the Christmas spirit early. It’s so great,” she says.

The official town crier alerts everyone within a huge earshot of the lighting of the hamlet’s special tree. Visitors then wander throughout the hamlet, enjoying free hot apple cider, dipping a variety of delectables in dripping chocolate, browsing through antiquities and art and marvelling as a variety of steam powered machines rumble by in an annual parade.

Light Up Night is sponsored by Cookstown Chamber of Commerce members who introduce the seasonal buying season with a celebration of their wares. Library workers and volunteers use the occasion to dress up as characters from the book The Wizard of Oz and hand out gingerbread men from copious wicker baskets.

Prince Charming and Cinderella stroll down the main street laughingly, arm in arm, greeting one and all and inviting them to see the Onstage Performance Group at the South Simcoe Theatre in December.

The Hamilton Street Theatre’s resident group, heard caroling around the town, remind visitors to come and enjoy the musical Little Women beginning Nov. 15.

Despite an unseasonal, drizzling rain, the turnout was remarkable, and the smiles were unlimited.

“All these things really matter,” smiles Robertson. “They’ll remember this for a lifetime.”