LISA JOHN-MACKENZIE, Township of Uxbridge, Tourism Development Coordinator
UXBRIDGE: The Uxbridge Holiday Trail is a safe and festive journey through the Uxbridge Optimist Fantasy of Lights and the downtown holiday shopping area. The Fantasy of Lights is a long established driving tour, being held daily, at 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., from December 5th to January 2nd, in Elgin Park, featuring holiday light displays installed by local businesses, organizations, and individual families. This year, the downtown shops are joining in on the festivities, with their windows decked out in holiday themes, such as: “The Nutcracker comes to Life,” presented by the Bridge Social and Blue Heron Books; Santa’s Workshop, presented by the Lemonade Stand; and a Wave through the Window, from Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves, hosted by H. Bee Architecture. Drive or stroll along Brock Street to browse the beautiful scenes, pick-up unique gifts, and snap a selfie in front of the spectacular Santa’s Sleigh and Snowflake display, presented by Rutledge Jewellers. With the white lit trees, the chime of the clock tower, and the sounds of the season along the way, a journey through downtown Uxbridge is a safe way to enjoy some festive family time. The shops are also offering online shopping, so it is a great way to shop ahead and then coordinate your curb-side pick-up on your way through. To fuel up along the journey, the food establishments along the Culinary Trail offer a full selection of hot beverages, snacks, and meals to go. Lisa John-Mackenzie, Uxbridge Tourism Coordinator noted, “The Holiday Trail is a way to extend the Fantasy of Lights experience and draw people into downtown Uxbridge to explore the local retailers and food establishments in the area. We are hoping this will provide exposure and awareness of our local businesses and also promote the virtual shopping options.” Dave Barton, Uxbridge Mayor also noted, “I love, have always loved, the Optimist Club’s Fantasy of Lights and this year it is more important than ever before. It is the perfect way for people to safely celebrate the season, and I love how our local BIA businesses have joined in on the fun. We all must do our part to ensure our downtown businesses are successful this holiday season and our loved ones have ways to celebrate safely. Please come and enjoy this event with us!” All locations along the Holiday Trail have received their Safe Travels Stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). During Uxbridge’s Holiday Trail, many downtown shops are open late, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, throughout December. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in the H.Bee. Architecture window, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday to Saturday, Dec 5th to 19th. The Holiday trail is offered by the Township of Uxbridge Tourism with partnership funding provided by Central Counties Tourism. For more information please visit www.discoveruxbridge.ca/HolidayTrail/