Simcoe Christmas Panorama lights up
- Chris Abbott
- Dec 4
- 4 min read
Chris Abbott
Editor
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus made their grand entrance ‘flying’ to the Simcoe Christmas Panorama light-up ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 29.
“I have a tracker right here and I’ve been texting with Santa,” said Panorama MC Robynn Beazley at Wellington Park. “The firefighters are going to bring him over on the Bickle… but not quite yet. First, we need to hear from some special, important guests.”
“It means so much to see our community gathered in this festive spirit,” said Tina Gates, Bobbi Ann Brady’s assistant, representing the MPP who was at Port Rowan’s first Santa Claus parade.
Gates thanked all of the organizers, volunteers and donors, “who worked so tirelessly to put this event together. Your dedication and hard work does not go unnoticed and I hope that everyone who walks through the park over the next month can be thankful for the magic that is created when you bring our community to life during this special season.”
Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin also thanked everyone who came out for the official Panorama light-up.
“I want to give a very, very special shoutout to all of the volunteers and the committee who make this happen each and every year,” said Martin. “And certainly Norfolk County staff who work hard to keep the park in pristine condition.
“It’s a beautiful Christmas event and tradition that we have every year, but it’s also an event that brings people from out of town into Norfolk County and they can shop local and celebrate the holiday season with friends and family. So on behalf of Norfolk County council, very Merry Christmas and happy holidays to each and every one of you… and I am just as excited as you are to get this switch flipped. Merry Christmas!”
Excited was just the word to describe Beazley as she prepared the crowd of several hundred people for Santa’s arrival with sirens wailing and lights flashing.
“I have heard back (from Santa) and the Bickle is on the way! How exciting is this? Everybody, make a lot of noise for Santa Claus! Let him know how excited we are!
“How was the trip?” Beazley asked Santa at the gazebo.
“It was cold! It was cold, the snow was behind me,” said Santa, “and it’s coming tonight. Merry Christmas everyone!”
Beazley invited two special guests, sisters Kcie and Klynn Walker, to help turn on the Panorama lights after the official count down.
“Wow! Oh wow, look at that, it’s so magical,” said Beazley as the lights came on.
The Panorama lights will be turned on daily from 6-10 p.m. until January 1st.
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“There’s many reasons to keep you coming back,” Beazley noted during opening ceremonies. “The horse drawn rides will be taking visitors around the park Dec. 12th, 13th and 19th and 20th. Santa himself will be in the park every single Saturday from 6-8 p.m. leading up to Christmas… just in case you want to remind him what you put on that Christmas list. Sonny’s Llama Farm will be bringing llamas and alpacas to Panorama on Friday and Saturday nights from 6-8. Norfolk Dairy Farmers and Mrs. Claus will be handing out hot chocolate and cookies from her kitchen.
“I am super excited,” Beazley smiled. “I am so excited. It’s so magical and I love it so much.”
Beazley invited visitors to stay warm in the park with hot chocolate – and other beverages and snacks – at the ABEL Enterprises cabin.
“As always, a time-honoured tradition, we also have the Tumaini Children’s Foundation trailer set up – they have hot cider and apple cider donuts.”
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“This was crunch week for us,” said Lucas Wilson, vice-president of the Simcoe Christmas Panorama committee. “It’s an entire year process to get to this point and we are so excited to finally see it all lit up – and everybody here. Families like to come a little bit early, get a sneak peek, look at all the displays, some turned on, some not. One of the volunteers, seeing the kids running around, stopped and said, ‘That is why I’m here, that’s why I’m doing it. It’s for the kids.’
“To see them all at once, tonight, it’s a real treat.”
Wilson estimated the number of lights to be nearly 500,000.
“It’s the biggest it’s ever been. We continue to add more and more and more… every year, or at least we try to.
“There’s a lot of Christmas lights,” he laughed. “Compared to Clark Griswold (Christmas Vacation), who said he had 25,000, we are far past what Clark Griswold had.”
Make sure you also cross Norfolk Street to explore Clifton Park where there are more Panorama lights and displays to discover.
“It’s a quiet pathway,” said Wilson. “That’s the hidden gem here at Panorama, people might say.”
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Roger Cruikshank, a 25-year volunteer, was recognized during opening ceremonies.
“He’s been on the (Panorama) board for 10 years, and he’s been a volunteer for 25 years, and he’s ‘hanging up his lights’ this year,” said Beazley. “So a big thank you to him for all of his dedication and service to the community.”
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Ontario’s original lights festival, Simcoe Christmas Panorama is in its 67th year.
The Panorama is supported by the community through donations and sponsorships. Volunteers are needed. Contact them on Facebook for more information.