Simcoe Christmas Panorama Celebrates 50 Years

Last December Judi and I had the pleasure of visiting the Town of Simcoe and their Christmas Panorama. Yes, the weather was quite cold and a winter storm almost caught up with us on our way home, but the warmth of the event and the people involved made the trip very worthwhile. It is little wonder that this wonderful event has been attracting thousands of visitors over the last 49 years! This year, 2008, marks their 50th anniversary and the organizing committee has been working overtime to make this the best Simcoe Christmas Panorama ever! The Panorama starts this year on November 29th and runs until January 4th. Many great activities are scheduled throughout this 5 week event. The November 29th Panorama starts at 4:45 PM with the Santa Claus Parade. This is followed, at 6:00 PM, by the Opening Ceremonies, which we attended last year, in Wellington Park. The Opening Ceremonies’ climax the lighting of thousands of lights! After Santa Claus arrives in his vintage Fire Engine, the downtown merchants open their doors for a gigantic Moonlight Madness Sale. If you can’t make it to the Opening day festivities, a trip, during the remaining 5 festival weeks, to see all the lights around the town, is a Christmas must. Check out their website for details (http://www.simcoepanorama.ca/).

"Last year the Honourable David Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, officially opened the Christmas Panorama and turned on the lights!"