Volunteers step up to bring Christmas back to Consecon

Story and photos by Sharon Harrison
After a two-year absence, Consecon’s Santa parade returned to Main Street Sunday afternoon, much to the joy of local residents, but especially the children.

The absence, due to a lack of volunteer help, saw a number of new and younger volunteers step-up this year to make it all happen.

Christmas in Consecon began with a pancake breakfast with Mrs. Claus and the elves at the Consecon branch Legion. Before the parade, the Masonic Hall hosted a kids’ craft table, face painting and balloon twisting. There was also a reindeer feed station, LED card making, free hot chocolate and cotton candy.

On a relatively mild day, with melting snow underfoot, and with the sun trying to burst through the grey clouds, no one minded waiting for the parade to begin, where some children couldn’t resist climbing piles of snow, and engaging in snowball fights, to pass the time.

The 36th parade, led by the fire department, the Consecon Legion colour party members and the Belleville Pipes and Drums, worked its way along a shut down County Road 29 (Mill Street).

The parade included floats from the Friends of Wellers Bay, Consecon United Church, the Girl Guides, the Belleville and District Shrine Club, Walt’s Sugarshack and the Hot Diggity Dogs Flyball Club from Frankford.

But, of course, it was Santa’s arrival at the very end of parade that was worth the wait, as he rode in on his sleigh.

Ameliasburgh councillor Bill McMahon takes a minute to pose with Santa.

The municipality’s float included Prince Edward County mayor Steve Ferguson and many of the County’s councillors, and included Ameliasburgh councillor, Bill McMahon. He was also spotted around the hamlet, and made time to check out some of the activities, and enjoy the festivities. McMahon recently publicly announced he is dealing with some serious health issues, and will undergo surgery next week.

This is the last community parade of the season to take place in Prince Edward County, and Santa Claus will now rest up to prepare for his big ride on Dec. 24.

Parade organizer Amanda Laird deemed the event a success and was pleased with attendance numbers.

“Christmas in Consecon was a fantastic event; all in all, a fun-filled day,” she said.

After the parade, people filled the Masonic Hall to meet Santa and his elves, where many posed for photographs, and where the good children on Santa’s nice list received chocolate advent calendars and goodie bags. Children’s crafts were also set up, along with refreshments.

“Many parents were able to take pictures of their kids with Santa at this time as well, and our committee had free hot dogs,” said Laird.

Continuing through the day in the hamlet was a small arts and craft sale at the Consecon branch library, and a bake and craft sale at Consecon United church.

The free event, organized by the Ameliasburgh Ward 4 Recreation Committee, closed out an exciting festive day with a tree lighting ceremony outside the Consecon branch Legion just as dusk approached.

“It was a huge success, and we can’t wait for next year!” added Laird.