KENORA - Over 500 people gathered in downtown Kenora on Friday to watch the annual tree lighting ceremony.
The excitement in Kenora grows each November as the annual holiday tree emerges in its special spot on Main Street.
In what almost seems like it came from a Hallmark movie, the tree is a community effort that happens each year at the end of November as it’s a kickoff to the season for many.
“I look forward to the tree lighting,” said Jason Runge, who was there with his two young daughters.
“It’s a sense of community. I think it’s for the kids, and if you’re an adult who enjoys it too, well, then that’s great!”
Runge grew up seeing the tree lighting, and now, whenever he can, he’s been taking his kids to see it, too.
When Kenora’s Main Street was completely renovated 10 years ago, a special tree stand under a manhole on the corner of Main Street and Second Street was installed to make it easier to erect a very large tree each year.
Each tree chosen must be 15 feet tall or more and not too wide, as traffic still has to pass by on either side of it for its two-month stint of holiday cheer.
City councillors flip the switch as the crowd counts down from 10, and thousands of lights illuminate the branches to cheers from the crowd below.
“It’s a lot of fun for the whole family, and there’s treats. It’s a social thing where you get to see your friends and family, said Todd Evans, who made this a tradition ever since moving back to Kenora with his family a few years ago.
Once the lights are turned on, the crowd filters to the Lake of the Woods Museum for some cider, locally made cookies and activities.
