Holiday Magic by Candlelight- Submitted by Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
Nov. 13, 2024 – MIDLAND, ON: First Light is an award-winning holiday event featuring live musical performances, an extensive artisan market, and family activities—all illuminated by thousands of candles. This year, the candlelit holiday magic will include two landmark destinations for the price of one: Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Martyrs’ Shrine.
The reconstructed 17th-century mission will be transformed into a magical holiday experience, and Canada’s early church will also be fully illuminated, hosting family fun for all. The beloved First Light has been extended to include Sunday evenings and will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m on November 21-24, November 28 to December 1, and December 5-8.
“This year’s First Light at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Martyrs’ Shrine is a great way to start the holiday season, and a great reason to visit Midland with friends and family,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “First Light is a one-of-a-kind, magical winter experience for people of all ages. Take your loved ones and learn about the early Church in Canada and enjoy the festive sights, sounds, and tastes of the season – all lit by candlelight in two beautiful, historical settings.”
All 12 evenings will offer a rich tapestry of festive activities and experiences for guests to enjoy and each weeknight also includes a special feature, allowing guests to choose their own candlelit adventure:
– Thursdays: World-class fireworks, visible from both Sainte-Marie and Martyrs’ Shrine, will light up the winter night sky at 7 p.m. Community choirs will perform holiday tunes at 6 and 7:15 p.m.
Fridays: Neil Monague will share traditional First Nations stories and hand-drumming by the fire in the longhouse, offering a cultural experience guests are sure to enjoy.
Saturdays: Francophone sensation Ariko, featuring the Lefaive family, will perform a great mix of traditional and original toe-tapping French fiddle tunes in the Sainte-Marie theatre.
Sundays: Mark the start of Christian Advent by participating in a special Mass inside the gorgeous Martyrs’ Shrine at 7:30 p.m.
Guided by lantern-lit pathways, visitors at Sainte-Marie will enjoy historic buildings adorned for the holiday season with fresh greenery and festive décor—all bathed in the beautiful amber glow of cozy fires and more than 5,000 candles. The Martyrs’ Shrine will offer a festive lights experience, illuminating the church’s beautiful grounds, including a pedestrian-only market-style square and warming stations.
ONGOING EVENTS
MONDAY
Elmvale Seniors Drop In
Monday’s
10 am – 12 noon
Elmvale Library. Call Lynn for info, 705.322.3309
Bid Euchre
Elmvale Community Hall 1 pm – 4 pm
Every Monday.
Call Anne for details 705-322-1232
Bay Shore Seniors Club
Indoor Pickleball 1:00 – 2:30 pm
2000 Tiny Beaches Road S., Woodland Beach
Georgian Shores Seniors Club
Billiards/Pool, 9:00 – 11 am
Seniors in Motion Fitness, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Hustle and Muscle, 11:30 – 12:30 pm
Bid Euchre, 1 – 3:30 pm
Askennonia Seniors Centre
Table Tennis, 9am-11am
Yoga, 9am-10am
Fun Fit Circuit, 9:15-10:15am
Coffee Break, 10:30-12pm
Intro to Line Dancing- Baby Steps, 10:35-11am
Walking Club, 11 am-12pm
TUESDAY
Elmvale Legion
Tuesdays at 1 pm
Table Shuffleboard, Cost $1
Palace Tavern Elmvale BINGO
Every Tuesday night
Midland Rotary proceeds 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Barrie Rotary proceeds 8 pm to 9:30 pm
Bay Shore Seniors Club
Billiards/Pool 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Gentle Chair Yoga 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Indoor Pickleball 1:00 – 2:30 pm/ 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Bid-Euchre – 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Georgian Shores Seniors Club
Billiards/Pool, 9:00 – 11 am
Line Dancing, Prog. Beginners 9:30 – 11:00 am
Line Dancing, Easy Intermediate, 11:30 – 1:00 pm
Askennonia Seniors Centre
Badminton, 1pm-3pm
1:30 Circle of Friends, 1:30pm-2:30pm
Probus Club of Simcoe North
Penetang Legion, Poyntz St., Penetaguishene
Monthly meeting for fun & fellowship every second Tuesday. Mary Grise (705)526-6349 marygrise0@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY
Bay Shore Seniors Club
LifeStyles – 9:00 – 10:30 am
Bridge – 12:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Access Art – 1:00 – 4:00 p.m
Indoor Pickleball – 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Georgian Shores Seniors Club
Billiards/Pool, 9:00 – 11 am
Chair/Floor Yoga, 9:30 – 10:30 am
Zumba Gold, 11:30 – 12:30 pm
Games Afternoon, 12:30 – 3:30 pm
2nd Camera Club, 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Askennonia Seniors Centre
Step Class, 9 am-10am
Chair Yoga, 9:30am-10:30am
Cribbage, 10am-11am
Men’s Shed, 10am-12pm
Walking Club, 11am-12pm
Creative Crafting, 1pm-3pm
THURSDAY
Probus Club of Simcoe North
Meetings monthly 2nd Thurs. 10 a.m
For women & men in retirement or semi-retirement.
Penetang Legion, 2 Poyntz St.
Mary Grise 705-526-6349 marygrise0@gmail.com
Bay Shore Seniors’ Club
Indoor Pickleball 12 – 1:30 pm
Book Club (4th Thurs) 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Darts 2:00 – 4:00 pm
2000 Tiny Beaches Road S., Woodland Beach
Call 705-361-1331 or info@bayshoreseniors.ca
Georgian Shores Seniors Club
Billiards/Pool, 9:00 – 11 am
1st: Movie and Lunch, 12 noon – 3:30 pm
2nd & 4th: Tiny Stitchers, 9:00 – 3:00 pm
3rd: Book Club, 1:30-3:30 pm
Let’s Do Lunch $5:
Elmvale Presbyterian Church
2nd Thursday of the month. Eat in: 12-1pm. $5
For take-out & town delivery $6 call 322-1411 between 9 & noon on the Monday previous.
Pick-up Thursday 11:15 – 11:45 at East side of the church.
Connecting Together – Fellowship with Others
Thursdays 2-3:30 pm call 705-526-6077
St. Pauls United Church Atrium, 308 King St Midland
FRIDAY
Bay Shore Seniors’ Club
VON Smart Exercise (FREE) 9:30 – 10:30 am
Woodcarving 10:00 – 3:00 pm
Billiards/Pool 10:00 – 12:00 pm
Indoor Pickleball 10:30 – 12:00 pm/ 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Shuffleboard 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Georgian Shores Seniors Club
Billiards/Pool, 9:00 – 11 am
Table Tennis, 9:30-11:30 am
3rd Bingo & Lunch: 12 noon – 3:30 pm
TGIF social, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Askennonia Seniors Centre
Knit’n Needles, 9am-12pm
Drumming Alive, 9am-10am
Pickleball, 9am-11:30am
Chair Yoga, 9am-10am
Badminton, 9:30am-11:30am
Game Club, 10am-11am
Tabata, 9am-10am
Card Making, 1pm-3pm
SATURDAY
Elmvale Legion
Saturday at 5 pm
Meat Darts- $ 10.00 for 3 games
3 prizes per game and a meat draw prize after $1.00 a ticket ($25.00 value)
SUNDAY
Bay Shore Seniors’ Club
Indoor Pickleball 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Good Vibes
First Sunday 2-5 from 2 to 5 p.m.
An open-mic music event. For winter months, relocated to Hackney Horse Bed & Breakfast, 3276 Penetanguishene Rd. near Craighurst. $5 donation, tea, coffee & baking at a small extra cost.
MONDAY to FRIDAY
S.M.A.R.T Exercise Program with V.O.N.
Mon 9:30-10:30am
1724 Mosley St – Hall 1A Recplex gym
Wed & Fri 1:00 – 2:00 pm 44 River Road West
Re/Max Room (Stars Arena)
Low Impact Gentle Fitness Program
VON SMART Program
Adults 55+ FREE
Mon. 9am @ Springwater Room (arena)
Wed. 9am @ Elmvale Community Hall
Fri. 11am @ Elmvale Community hall
Also available – pole walking at Heritage Park on Wednesdays 9:15am
Times and locations all subject to change.
Bring good support (running) shoes and water
Call 705-355-2200 to register or walk ins
North Simcoe Bridge and Games Club
Brooklea Golf and Country Club
Mon. 12:45pm: Duplicate Bridge, Tues 6:45pm: Social Bridge, Wed., 12:45pm Duplicate Bridge, Thur. 12:45pm Duplicate Bridge, Fri. 12pm: Bid Euchre. Contact Gail Chapman @ 705-361-9222 or northsimcoebridge@gmail.com.
Ganaraka Hiking Club-Wasaga Beach
Wed hikes 09:15-09:30am at various locations, year round. Also a casual hike, same time. Winter can be snowshoes. Weekly, hikes Sunday 1:30pm from a park near Foodland, WB. Weekly, Monday morning bike tours from various locations. Seasonal. Please contact Lorraine for info. 416-606-5081. Or lorvanvlymen@gmail.com