Simcoe Panorama festival needs volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help Simcoe Panorama continue its 60-year tradition of bringing Christmas magic to the community, Nov. 29 to Jan. 1. 

Alex Hunt

Advocate Correspondent

Three Simcoe parks will sparkle this holiday season as the annual Simcoe Christmas Panorama festival lights up with displays, Santa visits, hot chocolate, and community cheer.

Panorama lights will be turned on Nov. 29 and will stay on until Jan. 1 every single night from 6-10 p.m. Along with the holiday light displays, attendees will be able to take pictures with Santa Claus who is scheduled to make visits, along with enjoying hot chocolate beverages from Wednesdays to Sundays. 

The official Panorama display is in the Wellington Park area, from Wellington into the Grant Anderson Park and across the street in Clifton Park.

“We have been running for over 60 years, the thing that the community loves about the Simcoe Panorama is that it's a free event to attend,” said Caitlin O’Neill, volunteer coordinator for Simcoe Panorama. "No matter your living situation, you can come down and enjoy the holiday spirit and downtown that brings a lot of cheer and enjoyment. It's special to see families continue the annual tradition and experience the different lighting displays.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The panorama is currently looking for volunteers to assist with in-park festivities such as serving hot chocolate, facilitating the Santa Claus picture taking line and other duties. All money raised from will go back to supporting the panorama. 

“We encourage people with the little time commitments that they can give, even if it’s one night during the festival, that they can come to help facilitate the festivities,” said O’Neill. “We are looking for people to give help a little bit at a time. We will take student volunteers as well as people who are interested in trying something new.”

O’Neill said organizers are also seeking volunteers to attend planning meetings and dedicate several nights in December to help run the festivities, ensuring visitors have a smooth and enjoyable experience. In return she hopes the festival has a positive benefit on downtown businesses.

To become a volunteer, people can send direct message the Simcoe Panorama Facebook page or email simcoechristmaspanorama@gmail.com .

“The size of the parks and operating those spaces can be a bit challenging, but our volunteers are really ambitious,” said O’Neill. 

“We invested somewhere between $4,000 to $6,000 in lights to go up into the trees and bushes over the last four years. We have refurbished eight displays, and we are also always adding new ones when we have the opportunity.”

O’Neill said the festival is exploring new lighting technologies to enhance the experience. She added that while Simcoe Panorama aims to embrace these innovations, the event will continue to preserve traditions the community has enjoyed for decades.

“Our largest partner is Norfolk County itself, they give us the labour and the equipment to get all these lights up,” said O’Neill. “They support us throughout the festival by making sure that pathways are cleared and plowed, as well as road closure to make sure people are safe when they are crossing between parks.”