There was a steady flow of people around the firepit as they stopped by to warm up before heading back to the Night Market to see what else it had to offer. Tinkess Photo
IROQUOIS – The third-annual Iroquois Night Market took place at the Iroquois Plaza on Sat., Dec. 13 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., and the temperature was chilly, as you would expect it to be and the atmosphere was joyous as you would hope it would be
This is an event for the community which is put on at the expense of the Iroquois and District Business Group (IDBG) and through sponsorship from individual businesses. It is events like this that help build community spirit and bring a little bit of light into what for some can be a very dark part of the year. Sometimes that is all that is needed to make a difference.
So, what can you offer to get a large crowd of people to stand outside for a couple hours on a cold December evening? A lot of things, actually.
If you were hungry there were baked goods, as well as free mulled cider and hot chocolate. For a very low price you could have a pizza slice or hot dogs, and if you started to feel the cold a bit, you could sit around a nice wood fire to keep warm if you wanted to.
There was musical entertainment by the Seaway District High School band, horse drawn wagon rides, a chance to sit and chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus, or maybe even have your photo taken with a real reindeer (none with red noses, unfortunately.)
There were several vendors selling their creations, and there was even the Grinch, who seemed to be everywhere over the past couple years.
And there were the trees, which were really the stars of the show. One of them held the Christmas memory balls, (a Christmas ball with angel wings in memory of a loved one) while the others had been decorated by local businesses. Those in attendance were able to vote for the one they liked best, but there really wasn’t a bad choice in the bunch.
Once again, a small (but beautifully updated) plaza in a small community dreams big dreams that a small group of people with boundless energy and an unlimited passion for volunteerism bring to life. Those who do so much, they know who they are, but even more important is that we all know as well and pray they never lose that light.
Terry Tinkess is a professional photographer, educator and journalist. He has been making a living with a camera and keyboard since 1999 and has been featured in such publications as The Ottawa Citizen, Cornwall Standard Freeholder, The Globe and Mail, The Miami Herald, Ottawa Construction News, The Ontario Construction Report, Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Reed Construction Data, Canadian Potato Business and most recently, The Record and Eastern Ontario AgriNews. Terry lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, Mia the anxious Pittie and cats Wally and Chubbers.
