Shawville brings the Christmas Spirit

Liz Draper
Shawville November 25-26, 2022
Shawville hosted three Christmas events this past weekend starting Friday with the Shop Shawville Christmas Street Market on Main Street and the annual Tree Lighting at Veterans Memorial Park. The weekend festivities concluded with the annual Santa Claus Parade on Saturday.
Christmas Market
The Christmas Street Market which ran from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. saw dozens of vendors filling the street and sidewalks with pop-up tents and booths. Many Main Street businesses stayed open later than usual to welcome shoppers, some offering discounts and sales as well.
There was something for everyone at the market, with products ranging from baked goods to handmade decor, to Scentsy and Watkins, to knit and crocheted items, among others.
Santa even made an appearance, courtesy of 99 Reasons, and was available for photos with excited children who were there shopping with their families.
Café 349 was open for the first time in several weeks, and staff were outside offering hot chocolate and treats.
La Paysannerie was not far away in their tent, offering maple syrup on snow, or maple taffy as it’s often called, as well offering their various maple products for sale.
THE EQUITY spoke to several vendors and everyone was pleased with the evenings’ turnout. The threat of rain, along with the strong at times wind gusts, did not dampen spirits at all. Everyone was happy to be there and grateful for the chance to showcase their products.
Tree Lighting
The annual Tree Lighting at Veterans Memorial Park began at 7 p.m. however those who wanted to do some pre-lighting carolling, met up at New Hope Christian Fellowship Church at 6:15 and began the walk down to the park, passing by those attending the market, along the way.
Patti Moffatt was the emcee at the Tree Lighting and she, along with Shawville Mayor Bill McCleary, led the crowd in singing several Christmas songs, prior to the lighting itself.
Patti also shared a few reflections between songs, talking about seeing the magic and wonder of Christmas through the eyes of a child, while tying it into the real reason and message of Christmas.
Available free of charge was cookies and hot chocolate, donated by the Municipality of Shawville.
By the time the countdown to light up the tree and park began, it wasn’t hard to feel the spirit of the holidays.
The park was lit up and was met with a round of applause and cheers by the crowd gathered, who instantly burst into song, singing “We Wish you a Merry Christmas.”
The evening concluded with final remarks from Patti and Bill, a final song, and the passing out of candy canes, courtesy of Patti.
Santa Claus comes to town
Saturday brought warmer temperatures, and while most of the snow we did have had melted, there was still an abundance of festive spirit left as the annual Santa Claus Parade made its way through town.
The parade was organized by the Shawville Lions Club.
Floats lined up the beginning of the route at the Autobus La Salle bus garage and started their trek through town at 5 p.m., continuing down Main Street and ending at the fairgrounds.
In total 18 floats were entered and each one that passed helped build the excitement for the parades final participant, Santa Claus, who was on the Lions Club float.
Prizes for several categories were donated by the Municipality of Shawville and the Municipality of Clarendon.
The winners were as follows:

Best Overall - Giant Tiger
Best Light Display - Campbell’s Polaris
Best Float for Children – Grace Community Church
Best Business Float – Boutique Shawville Shooz
Best Volunteer Float – New Hope Christian Fellowship Church
Best Agriculture Float – Shawville 4H Club
Most Christmas Spirit – Dave Hickey (The Grinch)