Okay, maybe not the snuggling part, but it’s back and (in my opinion) better then what we originally had planned!

Before you see what we came up with below I again want to sincerely apologize if any of you thought we took canceling tonight’s festive lights and skating event lightly. We absolutely did not. I had heard from many that they wouldn’t come and that the event just wouldn’t draw anyone because there’d be no ice to skate on. 

Boy were we wrong.

Social media lit up and I was receiving emails that let’s just say were not the most “seasonally cheerful” comments that I might have expected.

So we brainstormed today and I think we have a winner.

• It’s Dec 23rd, so hopefully we’ll have ice to skate on. 
• The Farmers Market “Night-Market” is happening at the same time.  
• We’ll have hot cider or hot chocolate
• We’ll hopefully have live music
• There will be caroling 
• I will re-light the Christmas tree!
• We get to support arriving refugees with donations of winter coats and clothing under the Christmas tree!

Please share this blog, this tweet, this Facebook post! 

Let’s make this renewed and revived event a community gathering that we will never forget!

Here’s the press release:

Holiday Open House and Night Market December 23

Festive lights and music in Market Square tonight
Guelph, Ont. December 4, 2015 – Market Square will feature holiday lights and music tonight, without a formal Winter Lights and Music event, and the City will now host a holiday open house on December 23 when there’s a greater chance of skating on the outdoor rink.
Starting tonight in Market Square:
The square and Christmas tree will be lit from 5 to 11 p.m. Festive holiday music will also be playing and everyone is encouraged to visit downtown Guelph to get in to the festive spirit.
Celebrate the season on Wednesday, December 23!
The Guelph Farmers’ Market will host its first-ever holiday night market from 4 to 8 p.m. More information about the market will be announced in the coming days.
A holiday open house will take place at City Hall from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will include cider, crafts, carols, live music and weather permitting, public skating. Mayor Cam Guthrie will be on hand to ceremonially re-light the Christmas tree at 6:45 p.m.
As part of the event, the Guelph Wellington Local Immigration Partnership is encouraging people to bring donations of coats or winter clothing for Syrian refugees, and place them under the tree in Market Square.
“In recent days and weeks, many people have contacted me to ask how they can help welcome Syrian refugees to Guelph,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie. “We want to fill the space under our Christmas tree in Market Square with coats and warm clothing for those who will be calling Guelph home. What better way to celebrate the giving spirit of the season, and the giving spirit of the people of our city.”
Earlier this week, the Winter Lights and Music event was cancelled because the warm weather prevented skating on the rink. Tonight, there will be no ceremony or live music, but the lights will be on and recorded music will play over the speaker system for everyone to enjoy.
“Though our intentions were good in cancelling the tree-lighting event, we’ve heard from many people who are passionate about maintaining the tradition and celebrating together. That’s why we decided to host an open house later this month,” said Mayor Guthrie.
See you there!

Cam