Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Wye Marsh December Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:             


 SANTA’S WORKSHOP, Sunday December 1st, 10am - 4pm

Even with his hectic schedule Santa always makes a stop off at Wye Marsh, so bring your cameras and get a photo here at the Marsh.  Then bring the kids to Santa’s nature craft table where they can make their own handmade pine cone bird feeder ornament.  Be sure to grab some seed then head off on the trails to hand feed chickadees and see the magnificent trumpeter swans.  Warm up by a fire and roast your own bannock and at 1pm be amazed by the birds of prey show.  Cost is general admission to Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre.  For more information contact Wye Marsh at (705)526-7809.




WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP AT WYE MARSH, Sunday December 1st, 1pm - 4pm

The Friends of Wye Marsh are holding their ever popular wreath making workshop, December 1st from 1pm to 4pm.  This workshop is always a great way to spend an afternoon with friends, getting ready for the holiday season.  Each participant will make their own wreath to take home and will be provided with full instruction and materials.  The cost of the workshop is $50, with all proceeds going to the Friends of Wye Marsh to help support their mission to foster environmental stewardship.  Sign up today for this popular workshop, before it sells out. Contact Wye Marsh at (705)526-7809 or info@wyemarsh.com to register.







Friday, November 8, 2013

First Light at Sainte-Marie Will Amaze Visitors With 5,000 Candles


November 8th, 2013

Media Release – for immediate release

First Light at Sainte-Marie

will amaze visitors with 5,000 candles

 

Named by Festivals and Events Ontario as one of its “Top 100” events in the province, Midland’s Sainte-Marie’s among the Hurons spectacular First Light returns for its 14th year on the evenings of November 28th, 29th and 30th.

The unique feature of First Light is the illumination of the historic site only by candlelight. Over 5,000 candles in historic buildings and along lantern-lit paths lead to a variety of fun family activities.

Upon entering the site, visitors will encounter the popular “Survival In The Bush” historical encampment at the main gates. In the Jesuit Residence, children can write with quill pens as they prepare their very own seasonal messages on Christmas cards designed by students at Bayview Public Elementary School in Midland. The card is one of many Christmas “take home” crafts children can make at First Light. In the Sainte-Marie foyer, children will love making a corn husk doll, and creating a special angel ornament in the Carpenter Shop. Festival du Loup, La Clé d’la Baie and Eco Huronie will offer “Fleur de lys” crafts in the En Colombage building. In the Cookhouse 12,000 gingerbread and shortbread cookies from historic recipes will be available for sampling. The sounds and sparks of musket fire will fill the night courtesy of re-enactor group La Compagnie Franche de la Marine. 

Festive music has always been a crowd pleaser at First Light, and this year’s event will provide a wonderful mix of performers.  New this year will be Ruth Sutherland, playing selections from her “A Canadian Christmas” CD that has been nominated for 3 Hamilton Music Awards. A cappella troupe, Mix’n’Match will wander through the historic site filling the air with seasonal sounds. Local artist Michel Payment will share his inspiring songs in the Sainte-Marie Chapel. 

Traditional French and holiday music will be provided by the popular Famille Lefaive “ARIKO” and Jill et les Bucherons at the “French Café” in Restaurant Sainte-Marie. In Sainte-Marie’s famous longhouses, the Christian Island Drum Group and Red Spirit Drum Group will thrill audiences with their First Nations drumming, chanting, and singing.  A total of 12 choirs including seven school groups will also perform at the event over three evenings, including the return of The Children’s Community Choir from Penetanguishene, the OPP Chorus, la Chorale de l’École Sainte-Croix and le Choeur d’la Clé. 

For everyone who would like to do some early Christmas shopping, 21 exceptional artisans will be in the Sainte-Marie Museum and the Sainte-Marie gift shop will be open each night.

The magical First Light event will be presented at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons evenings November 28, 29, and 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Admission is just $10.00 per person with a non-perishable food item that will be donated to the local Salvation Army food bank.  Children ages 5 and under are free. For information call (705) 526-7838 or visit www.hhp.on.ca

Special NotesPlease be advised that with the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed on the historic site for this event.  Overflow parking will be available at Doral Industries, (former Mitsubishi/RCA building) 100 Wye Valley Road. Free shuttle buses will operate from Doral to Sainte-Marie throughout each evening.

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is operated by Huronia Historical Parks,
and is an Attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport.

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Media Contact:

Gary Molnar
Manager, Marketing, New Media and Visitor Services
Huronia Historical Parks
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
Discovery Harbour
www.hhp.on.ca
705 528-7696