The holidays are coming and there will be plenty to do in Pelham to celebrate. From the free outdoor market under the arches at Pelham Town Square to a host of activities at the Meridian Community Centre, the roster of activities is long, even if it doesn’t quite rival Santa’s naughty or nice list.
The latter will be a beehive of activity from now to Christmas, when it plays hosts to workshops for both kids and adults as well as a holiday Big Band concert featuring the Jimmy Marando on Dec. 17 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the Accursi Room.
“It's great to see the community center offer things outside of sports and bring in some kind of unique cultural and artistic elements,” said Leah Letford, communications specialist for the Town of Pelham.
A highlight this year’s activities will be an expanded roster of holiday craft workshops taking place Wednesday nights at the MCC starting this Wednesday (Nov. 27).
Welland artisan Madalyn Wassink-Tay will be leading one of those workshops. She will be teaching people interested in learning about string art. Participants in the workshop will be given a boxed kit containing everything they need – wood, nails and string (both green and brown) to create 14x20 cm decorative tree.
“Everything comes in there with it,” Wassink-Tay said. “It comes with a template to know how to do it.”
Once complete, the pieces can be taken home and be customized, Wassink-Tay said.
“I'm teaching them kind of a beginner course of how to do it, but if they go home and they want to add in little mini ornaments – you can get them from the dollar store or Michael’s – and glue them on, you're more than welcome to do that.”
Wassink-Tay discovered string art via Pinterest and by 2019 started her business, Knot Really Art, after friends had been asking them to make pieces for them.
“I kind of started doing it just because I always have had a love for crafting, Wassink-Tay said. “I picked it up one day because I wanted to create a piece of decor for my own home.”
Now, through Knot Really Art, she runs an online business filling orders for kits. She also shows her work at various markets in Niagara including the upcoming Holiday Handmade Market Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre.
The cost for the string art workshop is $50 and includes light refreshments and one drink ticket.
While the workshops have expanded for 2024, there are plenty of returning favourites, including the popular free Outdoor Market, one of the signature elements of Christmas in Pelham.
The market will take place on Friday, Dec. 6 from 4-9:30 p.m. and will include 16 artisans and food vendors, a children’s craft corner, a vintage firetruck, and visits with Santa. Other special guests will include snow princess and stilt walkers. Brayden’s Joy Maker Truck will also be on-site with thousands of twinkling lights accepting donations to support Pelham Cares.
Parents looking to get some extra time to get Christmas shopping done can drop their kids of at the MCC for a night of fun for Santa’s Workshop nights from 4:30 to 9 p.m. where children ages four and up can do crafts, watch movies, and play games while enjoying dinner and a special holiday cookie-decorating activity. Sessions are Dec. 10, 13, 18 and 23. The cost is $30 per child, per session.
“The holiday season is the time of year when neighbours, family and friends can experience the joy of community,” said Mayor Marvin Junkin. “The Town is proud to offer a long list of fun activities over the month of December that bring people together during the holiday season.”
Residents and businesses are also being encouraged to light up Pelham for the Town’s annual house decorating contest and light tour by submitting their entries online before Dec. 11. Residents will be able to take their own self-guided light tour when the full route is released on Dec. 13. Residents will also be able to vote for their favourites in several categories.
Throughout December, the MCC will also host public skating and a holiday-themed Big Band performance. Donation bins will also be available for the annual toy and food drives supporting Pelham Cares. Kids can also drop off their letters to Santa in a special mailbox set up in the community centre atrium. Kids are being reminded to include a return address so they may receive a special letter from the jolly old elf. Letters need to be dropped off by Dec. 15.
Meanwhile, the Pelham Cares Community Food drive will run from Dec. 6-8. Donations will be accepted by volunteers at the community centre.
Pelham will official welcome Santa to town on Dec. 14 when the Fabulous Fenwick Lions host the 27th annual Santa Claus parade in downtown Fenwick at 1 p.m.
For more information about all events and activities taking place over the holidays in Pelham, visit www.pelham.ca/christmas.
