News release

Sherbrooke Old Fashioned Christmas Improves Visitor Experiences

Nova Scotia Museum

The twelfth annual Old Fashioned Christmas at Sherbrooke Village will feature tried and true programming along with a number of innovations designed to improve the visitor experience.

This year's event will take place from Friday, Nov. 23, to Sunday, Nov. 25, and will begin with the traditional tree lighting ceremony at Maple Manor seniors' complex, followed by a candlelight procession. This year, the procession will end at the Sherbrooke Village Performance Centre, allowing participants to see the full lighting display and get a better view of the Kidd Brothers, who will provide the entertainment. There will be free hot chocolate and snacks, followed by a visit from Santa and a fireworks display. The new location will also provide enhanced parking services and better access for those with mobility issues. After the fireworks, there will be a free family skate at St. Mary's Recplex and karaoke at the Lions Club for the adults.

Another new component of opening night will be the Holiday Light Exchange, an initiative of Conserve Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power, whereby people can exchange two sets of old incandescent lights for one set of energy efficient LED lights.

Also new this year, in response to requests from the visiting public, more village buildings will be open during the weekend and house tours will be concentrated within the village. This year there will be no charge for the tour which will feature five houses in addition to the five working buildings which will also be open. Traditional community house tours will take place in Liscomb on Dec. 8.

Again this year there will be an old fashioned Christmas button available, a souvenir item that allows participants to receive discounts at a number of paid events and free admission to others. The purchase of a $5 button offers savings off regular event costs.

The weekend's events include adult and children's craft workshops, wagon rides, craft show and sales, holiday luncheon, guided wagon tour and a children's scavenger hunt. Saturday and Sunday will begin with breakfast at the Lions Hall and also feature a Victorian tea, scavenger hunt, and a courthouse ceilidh featuring Roly and Ellie Burton and Joyce Johnston. Saturday will end with a dinner theatre at the Lions Club. Sunday will feature an ecumenical carol service, a Ceilidh, the groaning board Christmas feasts and Sunday night concert which will be held in St. James Presbyterian Church. The concert features some of the best local entertainers, headlined by Gertie Grant and Rusty Cage, who have become audience favorites at Sherbrooke Village.

For more information call toll-free at 1-888-743-7845. A complete list of activities is also available online at www.oldfashionedchristmas.ca or call 1-888-743-7845 .