Every year the Town of Orangeville puts up a giant tree by the Town Hall on Broadway. We were on hand to cover the spectacle. To learn more about how we cover live events click here.
Full video transcript:
Oh yay! Oh yay! Oh yay! To all good people safely watching remotely today and special guests the Honourable Sylvia Jones Solicitor General of Ontario and member of Provincial Parliament for Dufferin Caledon Kyle Seeback Member of Parliament for Dufferin Caledon joining us by virtual programme and Andy Macintosh Deputy Mayor fo the Town of Orangeville Joe Sammut Chair of the Orangeville BIA and of course Santa Claus beloved North Pole Champion of sharing and this celebration of abundance I bid you welcome to the first live streamed version of Orangeville’s virtual tree lighting celebration new and improved that could be our aim warmer for you all the rest is the same David Nairn’s back with his favourite tale Leisa Way uses a song to regale more special wishes more special guests Covid or not Santa Claus never rests a magical count down recited by me to boost Santa’s magic to light up our tree as always I am honoured to laudably say Thank you so much to our own BIA we’re under restrictions but I stand here still a symbol of resilient Town Orangeville Why not do your part keep our town fine buy your gifts locally don’t shop online it may mean you pull on a holiday mask Our merchants deliver you just have to ask Our new starlight shopping will bring on the mood live music on Fridays I’ll also include Time soon to light up this tower of green God rest ye merry and God save the Queen I don’t know about you folks at home but pandemic or no This town is not Christmas till our own David Nairn shares his inevitable story of a visit from St. Nicholas the story that I’m going to share with you now is usually called a visit from St. Nicholas but we know it by the title of T’was the Night before Christmas when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse The stockings were hung by the chimney with care In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there The children were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads And Ma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the window and threw up the sash The moon on the crest of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below When, what to my wondering eyes should appear But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick More rapid than eagles his coursers they came And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all! As leaves before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot A bundle of toys he had flung on his back And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; He had a broad face and a round little belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk And laying his finger aside of his nose And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle And away they all flew like the down of a thistle But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT! The season of gift giving begins with music and who better to share a song than Leisa Way, take it way (Silent Night) its my pleasure to call upon our representative at Queen’s Park and Ontario Solicitor General the Honourable Sylvia Jones to say a few words Good evening I’m the provincial member of parliament for this beautiful riding called Dufferin Caledon I know that Christmas is going to look different this year but please remember we have so much to be thankful for friends, family, music, stories, our faith have a wonderful Christmas and stay safe everyone, thank you and now a holiday message from our member of parliament Kyle Seeback every year the Orangeville Business Improvement area does a fantastic job with our downtown Christmas tree lighting we’re going virtual this year but it is going to be just as spectacular take the time to enjoy the holiday season enjoy the beautiful lights that are going up in Downtown Orangeville and just as importantly let’s take some time to support our wonderful local businesses from my family to yours, Merry Christmas I have the honour of introducing the deputy Mayor of Orangeville Andy Macintosh Hi, Deputy Mayor Andy Macintosh from the Town of Orangeville tonight I bring greetings from the Mayor and the rest of town council I know this has been a tough year for everybody Christmas is coming let’s make the best of it and hopefully everyone has a good time and once again on behalf of the town of Orangeville, thank you and now a man with a great challenge this season the chair of the Orangeville BIA Joe Sammut to say a few words Good evening Welcome, my name is Joe Sammut I am the Chair of the Orangeville BIA I want to thank you all for coming whether you are hear personally or virtually I just want to say that everybody has worked very hard to put this event on this evening in spirit we are all her together it’s different we’re having to do things very different this year but please be sure to give a smile through your mask give a nod, a wink just give ah quick hello to people don’t be impatient with people be tolerant and let’s get through this season together we wish you all the very best on behalf of the Orangeville BIA and all of the merchants and owners in town we want to make sure you have a safe and happy Christmas and all the very best thank you Hey Santa no one elected you but you certainly got the popular vote. You get the last word before we turn up the magic on Broadway. Good evening ladies and gentlemen Thanks for joining us this evening I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas Or whatever you celebrate at this time of year, Be it Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali… Enjoy your season. I know this is a different year but also keep in mind – we need to be out there Supporting our community, the food banks, social people who are out there for those who are less fortunate than you are. Thank you for coming out. Now let’s light a tree! Now this is everyone’s opportunity to join in. What the heck we’ll all sing together Ready Santa? Here we go! Twelve drummers drumming Eleven pipers piping Ten lords a leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a milking Seven swans a swimming Six geese a laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three french hens Two turtle doves And a partridge in a pear tree Merry Christmas Orangeville Happy holidays! Merry Christmas boys and girls Thank you for coming out tonight either live or virtually and we look forward to seeing you on Christmas eve. I hope you’ve all been extra-special good this year. Look after your parents and your siblings. And I’ll see you Christmas eve. Be sure to join us a Theatre Orangeville for all your holiday entertainment. Go to theatreorangeville.ca and check out all the great programming we have Theatre Orangeville Presents On-Line We have a terrific reading of A Christmas Carol and then, the world premiere of Rockin’ Round the Christmas Tree Starring Leisa Way and The Wayward Wind Band We will see you in your theatre online, really soon! (Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer)