It will look decidedly different, but an iconic area event is returning for its 21st year.
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, located on Highway 12 near Midland, will host First Light over four nights later this month.
Described as an “unplugged” experience, the offering will still feature candlelit pathways to guide visitors through the historic site. Some buildings will also be open for visitors, but no live music or choirs are planned this time around.
On its website, a passage notes: “Experience the beauty of the season wrapped in history, with take home crafts, treats in the cookhouse and a dozen local vendors located in our Brebeuf Event Centre, showcasing a variety of products for sale.”
Advanced tickets are mandatory for the First Light "Unplugged" event, but are not required for the holiday vendor market, which is free and will be located next to the main entrance.
Restaurant Sainte-Marie will be open all nights during the event for guests to enjoy a traditional meal.
“Please note that First Light 'Unplugged' will be a significantly scaled down version of the traditional event,” the historic site noted. “It has been modified to adhere to safety protocols and guidelines from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit."
The event runs the last two Fridays and Saturdays of November from 5-9 p.m. There will also be ‘timed entry’ to ensure physical distancing and to minimize wait time at the door, visitors will need to book an arrival time slot online prior to coming to the event. Tickets are sold in 30-minute time slots (i.e. 5-5:30 p.m., etc.).
The cost is $7.14 (including tax) for adults with children 12 and under admitted free. And while the craft market is free, maximum-capacity limits will be in place to ensure adherence to public health protocols.
The Salvation Army will again be collecting non-perishable food items every night.
For more information, click here.
