GRAVENHURST CHAMBER’S VIRTUAL SANTA PARADE FUN LOOK AT BUSINESSES

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Hard-hit business owners have a sense of humour.

They miss the walk-in Christmas customers they had last year as BIAs aren’t bustling with busy shoppers scurrying about with bundles of parcels under their arms.

And Santa hasn’t been seen driving his reindeer down main drags greeting gaggles of giggling kids and their families and friends.

But they’ve still got a smile on their faces behind those masks.

Witness the fun, inventive ways Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce members celebrated the season with an online Santa Claus Parade.

Sandy Lockhart says the virtual parade it was a great way to get together and still stay safe while promoting their products and featuring their hard-working staff who are serving and selling in a new way.

See a cute ginger bread Night Before Christmas, the 12 Days of Christmas with Chamberlain’s, greetings from Gravenhurst Manor residents, dance routines by the kids a Just for Kicks, scenes from past parades and finally a reading from Santa.

Gravenhurst Santa Claus Parade 2020 – YouTube

It’s online until Jan. 21.

In Bracebridge, Santa was at the end of the road in Bracebridge Agricultural Fairgrounds for a Sunday drive-by parade.

This as yesterday MPP Norm Miller urged everyone to shop local this Christmas.

In the legislature in Toronto, he encouraged residents of Parry Sound-Muskoka and all Ontarians to shop local this holiday season.

MPP Norm Miller said there are many talented artisans in his riding who will be glad to provide curbside servive.

Mr. Norman Miller: I rise today, ahead of the holiday season, to encourage residents of Parry Sound–Muskoka and all Ontarians to shop locally for Christmas and other gifts this winter.

As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt small businesses across Ontario, so it’s more important than ever that we support them during the biggest shopping season of the year.

My riding of Parry Sound–Muskoka is home to many talented artisans, small manufacturers, family-run shops and restaurants who have adapted their businesses during this health crisis.

Even if you don’t want to go into stores right now, many local shops have developed websites so you can browse their inventory from home, or they will be happy to take orders over the phone for curbside pickup or delivery. Restaurants are offering gourmet takeout meals, and a break from cooking dinner always makes a good gift.

I encourage everyone to support local businesses in their communities as much as possible this holiday season, not only by shopping at local stores, but by looking for high-quality products made in Ontario or Canada. When we shop local, money goes back into our communities and supports the local economy, we help our fellow Ontarians put food on the table, and we help our province recover.

This Christmas, give a gift to your community: Shop local, buy local.

To see his video statement visit: https://youtu.be/iF8NXDBJkvs

Twas the night before Christmas … and all through Gravenhurst Bakery the ginger bread bakers were busy baking and entertaining in the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce’s virtual Santa Claus Parade.

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