For the first time in 32 years, the Old Fashioned Downtown Christmas Walk in downtown North Bay had to be cancelled.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual event which attracts more than 10-thousand people was reduced to a virtual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
Gone from Friday's event was the usual throng of people gathering around the Christmas tree in the downtown parkette, with excited children perched high on adult shoulders for the optimum vantage point to watch the tree lighting ceremony.
Normally on this night merchants would stay open late, welcoming holiday shoppers. But not this year.
There were no musicians or choirs filling the street with the sweet strains of Christmas music.
And the traditional horse-drawn wagon rides filled with boisterous children will have to wait for another year.
Instead, vehicles travelled freely along streets which would typically be blocked off to ensure crowd safety.
In an effort to keep the spirit of the season alive, and people safe, the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony was a virtual event.
Hosted live from the downtown parkette, the DIA Board Chair Michelle Trudeau said a few words together with the Town Crier before flipping the switch to light up the tree.
Trudeau, mindful of social distancing, said the board wanted to do something positive for the community.
People at home watched pre-taped messages by North Bay Mayor Al McDonald, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli and Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota.
Also shown during the virtual event was a video highlighting the 2019 Christmas walk.
“It is hard to believe that this is our 32nd walk. I remember the first one and it has grown ever since,” said DIA Chair Michelle Trudeau.
“We’re feeling really positive in spite of the circumstances. We’re really happy that we could put something on even if it is virtual and share it with the community. So we’re really happy that we’re doing this small bit even if it is really quick. We wanted to be respectful of what is happening in the world and what is happening in our community. We didn’t want any crowd gathering of any kind.”
Normally downtown merchant Barry Klus, owner of Cheapskates, would have been hosting his annual rail jam with snow piled high in front of his store.
In years like this where there is no snow to speak of, snow would have been trucked in from local arenas.
“Based on everything we’ve been going through it was sort of a given that it wouldn’t be pulled off this year. Everything is different this year,” Klus said.
“I think what we’re trying to do right now is bring that whole festive feel to North Bay. We’re all down here. All the stores are around and we’re still promoting that festive spirit in the best way we can. We’ll still have that spirit. It is just going to be managed in a different way this year,” said Klus who pointed out just how challenging a time it is for everybody.
“For all of us individually it is a tough, tough time. But we have to deal with it the best way we can.”
And for businesses, he says that means being extra creative.
“Being in business you’re always having things thrown at you. This is just another barrier we have to get over. Once we get over it, and it is going to take some time, we’ll be on a different path. Things will never really be the same again but I just think we have to adapt,” said Klus.
“The better we adapt, the stronger we get and we can handle and manage things like this. It is just teaching us how to be stronger.”
Leaving work for the day, Tammy Megginson stayed behind to watch the tree lighting ceremony.
“My husband and grandchildren picked me up after work. I just got off. We’ve been here every year,” said Megginson.“It is totally different. It is going to be a hard Christmas for everybody. “
During the ceremony, there was a moment of silence for City Councillor Mike Anthony who recently passed away.
Anthony proudly served on the DIA board for many years.
“To have him remembered like this is phenomenal,” said Town Crier and former City Councillor Jeff Serran.
“He is deeply missed and I think it is appropriate that we had a promotional announcement after the moment of silence. Mike was always promoting the downtown. He definitely helped the downtown. He will continue to be missed.”
The virtual event was made possible through the spirit of cooperation.
“We’re all feeling that things are being cancelled this year. Things are different but not everything is being cancelled. We wanted to bring some of the tradition of the downtown walk on the night it would have happened,” said Amber Livingstone, administrative assistant for the downtown.
“And the tree lighting seemed the safest and the most responsible way to do it to have everyone be involved and join us virtually from the comfort of their home.”
There is still an opportunity to watch the ceremony.
“Our hope is that we will get it all nicely produced and put it up on our Facebook and Instagram pages for people to see,” said Livingstone.
At the end of the day, Trudeau says it is important to shop local, which extends beyond the DIA boundaries.
“I just want to remind people how important it is to shop local. Local doesn’t just mean downtown. Local means local. There are all kinds of businesses in North Bay that need your support right now,” Trudeau pointed out.
“If you can go to a store if you need something instead of shopping online, it is going to ensure that the business stays in town. They stay viable and we have a choice when we want to shop because they will be staying around. And not only downtown, but businesses everywhere ”
And that Trudeau said, includes big box stores.
“It is not just about shopping local downtown although we love to have you here,” said the DIA chair.
“Businesses in North Bay employ people who work and pay rent and mortgages and taxes and try to put boots on their children’s feet. So shopping local is all-encompassing for me. It means shop where you live."
