Holiday magic returns to Downtown Paris

Volunteer Paris firefighters Austin Gordon, Richard dela Rosa, Nate Ferris and helper Mark Aiston collect donated toys during Jingle Bell Night, kicking off the department’s annual holiday toy drive with overwhelming community support. More photos on pages 10-11.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

If holiday spirit could be bottled, downtown Paris uncorked it Friday night.

After nine long months of construction, residents poured into Grand River Street North on November 21st for the unveiling of the refreshed streetscape and the 17th Annual Jingle Bell Night, an evening that sparkled with the same joyful energy you’d expect from a classic Christmas movie.

It was pure magic from the moment the crowds began to gather. As families strolled down the wider sidewalks, many for the first time since April, they were greeted by twinkling lights, beautifully decorated storefronts, holiday music drifting in the air, and the kind of warm community cheer that makes Paris feel like the set of a Hallmark film.

Children darted about in excitement, chasing bubbles, chatting with roaming elves, and lining up for photos with Doug the Great, whose glowing costume made him a walking - and dancing - holiday light show. A horse-drawn carriage clip-clopped down the street, its wagon overflowing with excited riders taking in the sights. And at the firefighters’ annual toy drive, donations poured faster than the volunteers could packed them away.

Adding an extra shimmer to the evening were the new snowflake decorations atop the streetlights, which cast soft festive glows over carolers from Sacred Heart School, CORE Dance Project performers, Sing It Carolers, and the carolers from St. James Church.

Penny Ritchie, Chair of the Paris BIA, couldn’t hide her pride as she welcomed the community back to Grand River Street North just before the tree-lighting ceremony at Cobblestone Common.

“We’re so pleased with the new streetscape. Everything has come together better than we could have imagined,” she said, noting the excitement among business owners who were thrilled to welcome crowds back to their doors.

Ritchie shared heartfelt thanks to the many hands who helped make the night sparkle. Davey Trees donated the towering spruce that anchored the event, while Canning Customs contributed the brilliant star that crowned it. Rebel & Royal not only collected and donated all the decorations but also dressed the tree earlier in the week, the first time it had ever been decorated in advance of the event.

She also applauded Navacon Construction for working tirelessly to ensure the downtown was ready for the big night.

“We thank you all for coming out, and let’s kick off the holiday season and enjoy Jingle Bell Night,” she said to cheers from the crowd.

Sacred Heart students opened the ceremony with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Joy to the World before Town Crier David McKee stepped forward, delivering a booming, poetic town cry that set the festive tone.

“For 17 sparkling years the most central part of Paris has been illuminated nightly during the darkest time of the year by the warm glow of lights on a special downtown tree,” he proclaimed. “Know ye that tonight when the switch is thrown the resiliency of downtown Paris will light and shine for a grand celebration…to enchant and inspire the whole community for the rest of the year and into the next.”

And then came the moment that truly belonged in the final scene of a Christmas movie. Hundreds of residents counted down together, bundled in hats and scarves, faces lit by anticipation, the only thing missing were snowflakes falling from the sky. When the tree flickered on, only to go out again, the crowd erupted into playful groans as organizers urged them to cheer louder. Children began chanting, “Light the tree!” and soon the entire square joined in.

On the next attempt, the spruce burst to life in a brilliant glow, met by cheers and applause. Presley Smith, a Grade 6 North Ward School student, was the lucky winner of a downtown Paris draw so she had the honours of lighting the Christmas tree. 

Sacred Heart’s carolers closed the celebration with a community sing-along of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, the perfect finale to an evening that blended tradition, togetherness, and a renewed sense of hometown pride.

To cap off a fantastic night of shopping, everyone who supported the downtown businesses were entered into a draw to win a $500 downtown Paris shopping spree. Heather Dietrich won this year’s grand prize, congratulations!

With downtown shining once again, Paris is officially ready for the holiday season.