Last year marked return of in-person event since pandemic began, raised $13,000 in donations
Townspeople lit the streets of downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake in the warm glow of candles last December — for the first time since the pandemic began. This year, they’re back again to spread that holiday cheer.
This year’s Candlelight Stroll is happening on Friday, Dec. 2, once again an in-person event where dozens will walk together through an Old Town transformed for Christmas celebrations, carrying their candles — in the past, they’ve been accompanied by bell-ringers, marching bands and horse-drawn carriages.
Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake, which works with the NOTL Chamber of Commerce, the traditional event organizers, shared no further details about what this year’s event holds in store, including who will be the recipient of this year’s donation proceeds: all the proceeds come from participants purchasing candles for the event.
Organizers also collect nonperishable food items for the Newark Neighbours food bank.
Last year, organizers raised $13,000 for the Botbyl family and their son Devon, who has a rare chromosome condition, underwent cancer treatments last year and uses a wheelchair to get around. They used this money to install an elevator in their home, helping Devon get from floor to floor.
In 2020, the Candlelight Stroll was forced to go virtual because of COVID-19, and last year’s event maintained a level of caution around the coronavirus, urging people to wear masks and keep physical distance from one another.
Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Facebook post announcing the date says to follow their website, niagaraonthelake.com, for further details, such as time and event itinerary, the cost of purchasing candles.
“We can’t wait to welcome you to our Christmas wonderland,” the post reads.
St. Catharines Standard