Mahone Bay Father Christmas Festival, Click Photo for Source

‘Tis the Season

It’s probably safe to say that the holiday season has now really kicked off. There’s only five weeks until Christmas and festivities all over the South Shore are in full swing!

Aside from there being tons of cute shops and art galleries in our neighbouring communities of Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, our area offers picturesque scenery and a beautiful setting to enjoy holiday parades and other  events. Make a quick weekend or one-night getaway to our neck of the woods, do a little shopping, and take in a holiday event with the family.

Father Christmas Festival of Mahone Bay

A great example of a unique holiday festival to take in on the South Shore is the Father Christmas Festival in Mahone Bay. The festival kicks off with the annual tree lighting on November 25th and runs until December 4th. Right after the tree lighting, there’s a Lantern Parade, and a Cocoa, Cookies & Carols event that everyone is free to join.

For the remainder of the festival, there are tons of events and children’s activities happening. One of my favourites is the Yule Tide Gourmet Market, being held both Saturdays and Sundays during the market inside the Suttles & Seawinds barn. Also, there is horse-drawn carriage transport available for the duration of the festival! Check out the website above for an entire listing.

A Lunenburg Heritage Christmas

The Town of Lunenburg is proud to be launching A Lunenburg Heritage Christmas in the last week of November. The event starts with the town’s third annual Christmas tree lighting on Saturday, November 27th. Following the tree lighting, Santa will be touring the historic town in the parade!

Drive around the town to take in the Decorate a Snowman contest. The contest is open to all Lunenburg residents, and the winner is announced on December 18th.

A Green Christmas?

Both communities will be offering the Nova Scotia Power-sponsored trade-in of traditional glass lights for new energy efficient LED lights!

So be sure to drop by the South Shore to experience a unique holiday event in a historic Nova Scotian setting! It’s sure to put everyone in the festive spirit. And check out the live entertainment happening in our lounge during the November and December via our Facebook Page!

Happy Holidays,

Laura

Remembering on the South Shore

With Remembrance Day coming up next week, I thought it might be a good idea to look at how we remember on the South Shore. There’s a deep military history in our area, and many people are affected by the holiday in different ways.

History

First, I did a little bit of research on the military history in our area. Turns out there’s a lot to talk about! Here are some highlights from an article I found in on the website South Shore Now, by Robert Hirtle:

•    The first foreign protestants came to Lunenburg around 1753.
•    During the early years those settlers were under protection of British regular troops.
•    Soon they formed their own militia unit to protect the town and surrounding area.
•    In 1808 that team became called the 23rd Battalion, Nova Scotia Militia.
•    In 1807 there was a reorganization and renaming of the unit to the 75th Lunenburg Battalion of Infantry.
•    This name lasted until 1923 when the name was changed again to simply the Lunenburg Regiment.
•    This regiment served with the 16th Battalion of the Canadian army during the First World War.
•    They earned battle honours at Arras, Hill 70, Ypres, Amiens, the Hindenburg Line and the Pursuit to Mons.
•    The regiment joined the Annapolis unit to create the West Nova Scotia Regiment in 1936 and served during the Second World War.
•    The West Nova Scotia Regiment serves and protects Canadians from the headquarters in Aldershot, to this day.

The South Shore Remembers

Looks like Lunenburg and other towns on the South Shore have been involved in the military for many, many years. There are families in our area have ancestors who served hundreds of years ago, as well as families whose members who are currently serving in the Canadian Forces. The number of Remembrance Day ceremonies on the South Shore I think reflect the importance of this day to our residents.

One of the largest ceremonies near us is in Bridgewater at the cenotaph, as well events both in Lunenburg and Mahone Bay.

More Information

For some great coverage on Remembrance Day services on the South Shore, check out part of South Shore Now‘s website dedicated to documenting this day. There are stories told by veterans, wartime recipes, videos, and artwork.

There are also some great stories as well as information on the Government website for Veteran’s week.

Resources

Robert Hirtle, Lunenburg boasts long-standing military history, SouthShoreNow.ca           <http://southshorenow.ca/archives/2008/111108/feature/index.php>.

Time to Remember, SouthShoreNow.ca, <http://www.southshorenow.ca/timetoremember/>