Marc Bolduc drove his magnificent team of Belgian horses, offering wagon rides. Santa Claus came to town, along with Guinea pigs and rabbits, hot chocolate and doughnuts, Christmas trees and wreaths. There was music, with the Dud’ili’d’Ham Chorale. There were heritage tours, organized by the Eaton Corner Museum. There were stories, there were crafts, there were games, there was snow, and right on cue, there were children.

The scene was in the village of Cookshire, in the Parc des Braves, that outdoor space with the calanish stones, in front of the MRC building. The activities were situated between the Artisans’ Salon in Victoria Hall and the Dew Drop Inn booksigning at St. Peter’s Anglican Church and the Cultural Centre’s art exhibit at the old St. Peter’s presbytery. It was the weekend of December 9 and 10, the opening rounds of the holiday season.

The park was filled with fun and laughter, as visitors strolled back and forth among the various activities. The event was organized by Loisirs Cookshire, in collaboration with the John Henry Pope Cultural Centre, the IGA and other partners.