Tickets on sale for Tour of Homes

The annual Holiday Tour of Homes will take place on Nov. 22, and tickets are now available. This photo from last year’s tour shows some of the décor by one of the participating homeowners. (File Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

While most home owners have just put their Halloween decorations away, participants in the Tour of Homes have likely been up to their arm pits in Christmas decorations for some time to prepare for the Tour of Homes on Nov. 22.

The annual tour features five personal homes and two businesses. It will run from 4 to 9 p.m.

“We don’t like to make it too big because we want everybody to take their time,” said Tabitha Verbuyst, executive director of the Station Arts Centre and event organizer. “We don’t want to make it so overwhelming that participants don’t get through all the homes.”

Which homes will be part of the tour? That’s a closely-guarded secret that Verbuyst won’t reveal, but is printed on the tickets.

“They’re amazing homes, you won’t be disappointed,” she promised. “The people that are a part of it are big decorators, so I’m sure they will go all out for the tour.”

Verbuyst said that the various homeowners always have different styles showcased, ranging from eclectic to traditional. She did ask people to respect the homeowners’ rules.

“Each home will have their own guidelines,” she said. “It’s their own home, whether it’s removing your shoes or not going past certain barriers.”

The businesses on the tour are Annandale House and Tillsonburg Garden Gate.

Verbuyst said Annandale House is always decorated differently, with different roles.

“They do go all out on their Christmas décor,” she said. “It’s a nice opportunity for people to see it after hours, all lit up.”

While there was no insight into how Garden Gate would decorate, Verbuyst did know that the business was offering all participants a 10 per cent discount that could be used for purchases in the store.

Tickets for the Tour of Homes are $15 each and are available for purchase at the Station Arts Centre. There are only 250 tickets available, and they sell out quickly.

“It’s a nice way to get out and explore Tillsonburg, meet people and get in that holiday spirit,”