This years Christmas Magic will have the largest Christmas tree thanks to a Cobourg family.
Stewart Richardson and Nancy Oliver donated the 45- foot high Norway Spruce that had been in front of their home for over 25 years.
Oliver said when she first planted the tree with her two children she thought it grow approximately 10-15 feet.
“Unfortunately it grew to about 45 feet,” blocking the entire view of her East House Crescent home in Cobourg.
“I didn’t read the tag,” Oliver said with a laugh while workers were preparing to remove the tree from the front lawn.
Each year for the last 10 years Ryan Loughlin from Ironwood Tree and Landscaping would decorate the tree with Christmas lights.
Oliver said it reflects the start of the Christmas season for the neighbourhood with the enormous Christmas tree shining at the end of the roadway for everyone to see.
When the couple decided the tree was coming down, Loughlin approached the town of Cobourg to ask if they would like the tree for their Christmas Magic celebrations.
Oliver jokingly said, one neighbour loves the lights on their tree so much, he was going to chain himself to the trunk of the tree.
“I had to really think about it, because I love nature and I love trees, so I felt badly about it, but when we found out it was going to be a Christmas tree I thought, hey, what a way to go.”
Ironwood Tree and Landscaping along with Ontario Line Clearing and Tree Services volunteered their time to cut the tree down and transport it to the Cobourg harbourfront where workers from the Town of Cobourg were getting ready for Christmas Magic.
Christmas Magic season is about to kick off in Cobourg, bringing six weeks of holiday brightness every member of the community can enjoy.
An epic night of events kicks it off at Victoria Hall Nov. 23, starting at 6 p.m. with the big lighting-up ceremony.
The Town of Cobourg press release said preparations are well underway for it all, complete with a vintage-holiday theme.
“Each year, Christmas Magic in Cobourg continues to surprise audiences with creative displays and striking uses of colour, drawing in a growing number of locals and tourists alike,” the release said.
“This year’s light display theme will take on a vintage-Christmas vibe, and will also showcase a beautifully decorated Victoria Hall with a wrapped portico, lamppost banners, and new projection-animated snowflakes cascading along the building.”
The 6 p.m. gathering at Victoria Hall (55 King St. W.) will enjoy Christmas music and an official welcome before the holiday lights go on at that location. Everyone is encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the Northumberland Fare Share food bank to turn in to the Cobourg Police Service representative in exchange for a lighted candle.
At 6:45 p.m., the official walk will proceed down Second Street, past the Rotary Harbourfront Park rink and to the watrfront. There, at 7 p.m., Mayor Gil Brocanier will lead the countdown for the main lighting.
The centre of the Esplanade will include one 44-ft. Christmas tree that will glow with more than 3,000 lights to create a glittering landmark in the evening darkness. The tree was generously donated by Nancy Oliver and her husband Stewart Richardson of Cobourg.
The countdown will also lead to the illumination of 190,000 lights along the waterfront, Division Street south and Rotary Harbourfront Park. DJ Dominic will blast out some festive music and a special surprise is in store for all. As well, Santa Claus will put in a guest appearance on Second Street, with special treats to give out.
After years in Victoria Park, this new location offers a display that is both walkable and driveable, the press release noted. Those who walk among the displays will enjoy the spiral trees, holiday cut-outs for selfies, holiday vignettes, as well as reindeer and other festive animals.
A new addition celebrates the true spirit of the holiday season with Trees For Charity. This town initiative offers charitable organizations the chance to decorate an eight-ft. Christmast tree of their own, with the town supplying the tree. Any organization interested should contact community-events co-ordinator Jackie Chapman-Davis (jchapmandavis@cobourg.ca) by Nov. 12.
“All they have to do is bring the decorations,” council community-services co-ordinator Suzanne Seguin said in the press release.
:What a beautiful display it will be, and a chance to raise even more awareness to the issues that matter most.”
Habitat For Humanity Northumberland is bringing back its Gingerbread Festival starting at 5 p.m. on King Stret West, with gingerbread cookie kits for children who are attending the tree lighting (baked by the Dutch Oven and sponsored by the Town of Cobourg).
Inside the Sarby’s store (across the street from Victoria Hall), the Downtown Business Improvement Area will feature a night market with some wonderful vendors, and the winner of the Home For The Holidays local shop contest will be announced. In the street, local hockey players will enjoy some old-fashioned road hockey to a background of festive music.
“The success of Christmas Magic is largely attributed to the thousands of hours contributed by volunteers, town staff, councillors ad local high-school students,” the press release said.
“The Cobourg Police also supply a large number of volunteers for the opening ceremony.”
Organizers also thank generous sponsors, including Cameco, Lakefront Utilities Inc, Iron Wood Tree and Landscape, Wharram Tree Service Ltd. And MyFM 93.3.
The spectacular Christmas Magic display can be enjoyed free each night from 6 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 7.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
