Canada's "First Light" 1626-A Christmas Past Midland Ontario

Historic Huronia.................November 21, 2008. Now in its ninth year the famous “First Light” event at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons will be presented with a wonderful array of fun and festive activities amidst the magical glow of over 2,000 candles. The weekend celebration takes place December 4, 5, 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission is $5. per person with a non-perishable food item that will be donated to the Salvation Army’s food bank. Children aged 5 and under are free. Visitors wanting to stay overnight can book The Enchanting Getaway Package which includes an overnight stay at Midland's Best Western Highland Inn and Conference Centre, admission to 'First Light', dinner, breakfast, and a special Christmas drink. Package rates start at $92, per person, plus applicable taxes. Additional accommodation is available at Comfort Inn Midland and The Inn at Christie's Mill Port Severn.

“First Light” includes lots of programming enjoyed by families. Children can make their own Christmas cards with quill pens and try their hand at candle making. Local French group La Clé d’la Baie, The Métis Nation of Ontario, and Discovery Harbour will all offer special “hands-on” crafts. The sights and smells of baked goods will once again fill the cookhouse as chef Jesse Ford presents an impressive display of tasty Christmas treats inspired by 17th century ingredients and recipes. A fascinating historic encampment will be set up at Sainte-Marie’s front entrance by the popular “Survival In The Bush” group, and La Compagnie Franche de la Marine will be on-site displaying their colourful uniforms, demonstrating historic musket drill, and serving hot chocolate.

This year’s musical line-up will sure to delight visitors, with talented performers filling the historic site with seasonal and heritage music. New to First Light this year and known across Ontario is the popular Blue Wolf and the Aboriginal Officers who will perform traditional drumming. A crowd favourite, Aboriginal singing and drumming will also be done by The Jock Family and The Christian Island Native Drum Group performing in Sainte-Marie’s atmospheric longhouses. All three drum groups will perform each evening. Franco-Ontarian folksongs will fill the Chapel once again with Michel Payment, including his stirring rendition of The Huron Carol. Nathaniel Rice will perform folk music and children’s songs and Katy Austin will offer traditional melodies in English and French. The French Café at Restaurant Sainte-Marie features lively performances by La Famille Lefaive all three evenings. Enjoy the OPP Chorus on Saturday evening, December 6. Numerous community and school choirs will also be performing over the three evenings.

The Huron Carol is believed to have been written by Father Jean de Brébeuf who lived at Sainte-Marie in 1643. A special exhibit in the Sainte-Marie museum focuses on this famous carol.

For those interested in a little shopping, 20 exceptional artisans will be in the Sainte-Marie museum, and the themed Sainte-Marie gift shop is open each night. Downtown Midland celebrates the Christmas season with a variety of shopping opportunities, contests, and festival activities.

Considered to be one of Canada's most significant historical destinations, the Southern Georgian Bay area welcomed Samuel de Champlain in 1615. Located just 90 minutes north of Toronto via Highway 400 north to Highway 93 or Highway 12.
See Google Map for precise location.

Special Notes: Please be advised that with the exception of assist dogs, dogs are not allowed on the historic site for this event. Overflow parking will be available at Doral Industries, 100 Wye Valley Road. Free shuttle buses will run to Sainte-Marie throughout each evening.

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For Information on Midland and Southern Georgian Bay Contact
info@sgbchamber.ca
Tel: (705) 526-7884

For Information on Sainte-Marie among the Hurons contact Huronia Historical Parks:
Bill Brodeur (705) 528-7692

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One of Ontario's Top 100 Unusual Places To Visit

North America's Largest Outdoor Mural--Artists on site in August.

Midland, Ontario………………August 2008. As one of the top 100 places to see in Ontario, Downtown Midland should be on every visitors and residents travel list. Midland hosts North America’s largest outdoor mural and was recently listed in the Ron Brown first edition of Top 100 Unusual Things to see in Ontario released September 17^th 2007, Boston Mills Press. Brown labels the murals as a "Giant Outdoor Art Gallery". The murals depicting a scene from the Jesuits meeting Huron aboriginals for the first time is the largest outdoor historic mural in North America. Ron Brown is a Canadian travel writer and broadcaster who is the author of several books on unusual features to see throughout Ontario. His latest titles include Downtown Ontario; Unusual Main Streets to Explore, and Top One Hundred Unusual Things to See in Ontario. Toronto-based Brown also regularly contributes to CBC Radio broadcasts.

For the summer of 2008 our murals are continuing to be restored by 3 local artists with the financial aid of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Ruth Hurdle is recreating the Rotary Mural which was originally on the LCBO building. This mural will be relocated on the side of T & G Fabrics. Terri-Lee Milley will be recreating the S.S. Lemoyne mural which will be painted on location on the side of Homecoming beside St. Paul’s United Church. Sonja Rathke has been restoring all the murals located at the Town of Midland’s Harbour Master’s office at the bottom of King Street this summer. Please feel free to speak with them about their experiences.

Midland Ontario is 90 minutes north of the Greater Toronto Area, and 35 minutes North West of Barrie. Situated on the shores of Georgian Bay in historic Huronia, the Midland area is one of Ontario’s earliest developed settlements dating back to the early 1600’s and Samuel de Champlain.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE AREA: Hotels, Resorts and Historic Inns are available. See Midland Area Accommodation.

WHAT TO DO IN THE AREA. Exciting historical re-enactments and attractions, fresh clean beaches complement First Nations history, Georgian Bay Cruises and Great Lakes British Navel history and the towering Martyrs’ Shrine. http://www.georgianbaytourism.on.ca/S/Attractions.aspx

TOURIST INFORMATION: FREE full colour guidebook available by calling 1800-263-7745, or view Georgian Bay Visitor Guide on-line

For additional information on Downtown Midland and the Midland Mural Project contact Meredith Forrest at 705.527.7246,