North Bay residents may well have another holiday tradition to enjoy.
The inaugural tree lighting fundraiser, “Light Up Community Joy” is in support of North Bay Heritage Gardeners and the North Bay Museum.
Each $5 bulb sold helped light up the 40-foot tree Friday night located at the museum.
“Over 2,000 bulbs have been dedicated to people in the community, people who have made someone’s life better. It is a real inspiration,” explained Hariett Madigan, chair of North Bay Heritage Gardeners.
“We have 650 bulbs dedicated to the military and civilian personnel at the base, (CFB North Bay) bought by community leaders and the Honourary Colonels. And people bought bulbs for the Special Olympians, for Community Living, PADDLE, One Kids staff, and volunteers. There has just been quite a spirit of inclusion. It has been a beautiful event for our community, and we hope it is going to be annual.”
As part of the tree lighting ceremony, Colonel Mark Lachapelle 22 Wing Commander and Commander of the Canadian Air Defence Sector told the story of the Christmas truce in 1914 during World War 1.
It has been reported that as part of the temporary truce, British and German soldiers sung Christmas carols to one another.
Inspired by the story, people could be heard singing Silent Night as they stood around the tree.
It was at that point the Christmas lights were turned on, generating audible gasps and clapping from the crowd.
“It was very emotional actually. It was more than I was expecting,” shared museum curator Naomi Hehn.
“Just to see how many people had come out, and the singing, and to see the lights when they were turned on, it felt like a really wonderful Christmas moment.”
Madigan saw the entire event as a “gathering of community in the spirit of peace, inclusion, and acceptance.”
Part of the proceeds will be used by the Heritage Gardeners to enhance the waterfront gardens and for special projects currently in the development stage.
The museum will use its share to support museum activities and day to day operations.
“It will help with ongoing costs; for exhibits, for our staff, for just continuing to do the work that we do in the community,” explained Hehn.
Bulbs continue to be sold at the North Bay Museum, at Michelle’s FrameMaker & Gallery, and at The Farm in downtown North Bay.
“Lights can be purchased right up until Christmas. The cost is $5 per bulb, and we are doing tax receipts for anyone who buys four bulbs or more,” said Hehn.
The lights will remain on 24/7, until the beginning of January.
