A Christmas stroll

This patriotic snowman stands in front of a Main Street shop. It was on display during Friday night's Christmas stroll. Photo by Phil Novak, BayToday.ca.

Thousands of people came out Friday night to participate in Downtown Improvement Area's Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk.

The walk also coincided with the official opening of the renovated CP Station's retail shop.

Community Waterfront Friends chairman Rod Johnston was at the station to talk to visitors about its renovation.

Right now the retail shop is the only part of the station that's open. The balance, which will contain the North Bay museum, is expected to open next spring.

Beyond seeing the station, strollers were able to watch the White Water Gallery Artathon, in a vacant Main Street storefront.

Local artists are painting for 18 hours straight as part of a fundraising program.

As well Corbeil cartoonist Lynn Johnston was at Gullivers Books and Toys to sign copies of her latest book.