Submitted by Christine Whelan

Dec 16, 2021, VOL. 3 ISSUE 9

The day had finally arrived! All the Whos in Whoville were ready to hit the street, the downtown core, of the burg with a huge heart that seemed to grow even three sizes bigger, beginning on that day, Friday, December 3rd, and continuing into all day Saturday.

The street was closed. Decorated Christmas trees were lined along each side, potted so that they could be later replanted. No trees were cut down for this event.

After months of a pandemic that would satisfy the grumpiest of grinches, downtown Ridgeway, once again, came alive. This year, with a mixture of traditional and new to satisfy all ages.

Introducing, Christmas on the Ridge! The theme for this first year was, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, to reflect the parallel of COVID stealing Christmas, but making fun of it, putting humour into it.

The event was definitely a community effort, however, the small but mighty group that lead the way was the Ridgeway Events Committee. Chuck Lord with Revel Realty, Sarah Chevalier with Lasting Impressions, Karin DiBiase with Lakeside Books and Art, and Jen Wilkinson with 335 on the Ridge put their proverbial blood, sweat and tears into the event that pulled everyone out of pandemic hibernation and showed what the town was really made of.

I connected with Karin, Sarah and Chuck as they were still coming down from the afterglow.

Sarah admitted, “The four of us were so excited to plan this event. We were honoured that we were the Events Committee, in that we were given this opportunity to plan such an amazing event. It really brought back aspects of our own childhoods.”

The Festival

“Everything from sweet potatoes to scavenger hunts to crafters to woodworking, artisans to making wreaths and Christmas ornaments.” Karin began describing the festival.

The carriage rides strolled up and down the street again. This year, something new, those who took a carriage ride were asked to bring a non-perishable food item with them to be donated to all three food banks in the community, St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army and COPE.

There was the traditional tree lighting at the Village Square. All the stores, once again, offered something unique, whether it was hot chocolate or specials for the customers. Kids of all sizes got their pictures taken with Santa at Boggio’s.

This year, guests were enchanted by ice sculptures, roasting marshmallows at fire pits, and Karin shared, “Another new feature this year, on Hershey Street, was an igloo, with some outside seating as well, all with lighting, offering wine, beer, hot apple cider.”

Barn Board Beauty made Christmas ornaments that all the stores participated in selling. Karin explained, “People purchased and inscribed a message to someone or a Merry Christmas to somebody and hung them on the trees in the streets. Afterwards, the ornaments were taken home.”

The musicians that were hired were all local musicians. “They all have family and roots that run deep in the Niagara Region as well. We really wanted to keep it local.” Sarah added.

She was also happy to comment, “We’ve never had so many local businesses step up as a community, ban together, come together, and amalgamate one theme, but interpreted so differently throughout all the businesses. Right then and there, that is a success. Depending on what people’s strengths were, they just shined through.” Karin agreed.

And when Santa came to town, Karin remembered, “One of my favourite moments was seeing the faces of the children when Mr. and Mrs. Claus were on the street and Buddy the Elf was running down the street yelling ‘Santa!’ All of the children were so excited. Santa had arrived.”

Sarah added, “A scene right out of the movie was re-played right there, on the street, and the children loved it.”

A new feature to the festivities was the Christmas market on Saturday. Forty-plus vendors from all over the region lined the street, spaced for safety, all participating in the theme.

Karin shared, “The vendors loved it. We’re very, very happy with the turnout. A lot of them were local vendors. Some of them were brand new startups. They’re happy to come back for the fall festival.” Which is always a great sign of success.

She included, “The Legion still ran their indoor market as they do on Saturdays. We advertised both markets because we wanted all who attended to experience both markets.”

“The Fort Erie Fire Department’s presence was heavily felt. They wanted to be involved and they wanted to make sure everyone was safe.” Sarah commented when talking about the community effort. “Even businesses who aren’t on the BIA helped out, like Joe from Independent Grocer, who donated all the marshmallows. He even dropped them off.”

She added, “It’s things like that, that really make the community come together when you see so many working parts.”

Showing What Ridgeway Is All About

The committee had been excited to show off the town’s magic to those who had not seen it yet. Karin shared, “There are so many new people who have moved to the community, and they’ve moved over the last couple of years during the pandemic. They haven’t had the opportunity to see the street come alive during a festival.”

Sarah added, “This was really important to us. We know the economic growth has just exploded, especially over COVID. We’ve seen so many new developments in the neighbourhoods over the past two years. So, it was really important for us to reach out and say, ‘This is us! This is our downtown. This is what we’re about.”

When asked if they got any impression as to whether the attendance was more the long-time residents or the newcomers, they responded in agreement, 50/50.

Karin added, “Having the festival is just a joyous occasion to be able to get out there and celebrate everything that is Ridgeway.”

From the Spirit of Christmas to Christmas on the Ridge

“The festival going forward will be called Christmas on the Ridge.” Karin clarified that the event name has been changed as those organizing and running the event have changed, “although you will hear people often refer to it as the Spirit of Christmas because that’s what it’s been known as for 20 years. For the people who know it as the old name, it will take some time. For the new people, they won’t know anything different.”

Ridgeway: Combining The Old And The New

Sarah explained the intentions of moving forward. “It’s really important for us to remember our history. It always is. So, for example, in remembering our Ridgeway Nine, the forgotten soldiers who fell, in our new logo, the letter ‘R’, there’s a little ‘9’ in it as well, to honour them. It may not be the soldier head but they are still with us and our history is still strong. What we’re doing is just modernizing it a little bit more. “

She continued, “We still think it’s so important to pay tribute. Our roots run very deep here and there’s so much history. We don’t want to forget about it.

“The BIA Board and the Events Committee are still very mindful of our history. We’re very mindful of things that are done. We’re not re-inventing the wheel. We’re just adding a little bit of glamour to it.”

On the Ridge: “It’s catchy and easy to remember. And whenever we have an event we will be adding ‘on the Ridge’ to it.”

Moving Forward Into 2022

Regarding the Christmas on the Ridge festival, Sarah talked about this year’s being a jumping off point, with a new committee, new festival, new elements added, and from here, the plan is to make it bigger and better for next year.

In thinking of the year 2022, she shared, “We’re looking at something, hopefully, in the spring. We’re just ironing some things out.” So, stay tuned.

“We’re full steam ahead with the festival during July, Summer on the Ridge,” also a new name, changed from the Ridgeway Summer Festival.

Karin added, “I’ve done the Farmer’s Market and the Fall Festival. Those are my babies. We’ll resuscitate the Fall Fest too, now.”

And Sarah, “We’re hoping to have something at least once a quarter, moving forward.”

Thank You!

Karin commented, “We’re looking forward to having all of our events back, once we can do them. Maybe add a couple of new ones, to bring some new elements to the community. And also, as a thank you to the community, for supporting the event and their local businesses. We appreciate all the support from our community during the pandemic. The event is a small way of giving back.”

Sarah posted on Facebook once the festival was over, “A huge thank you to everyone who came out this weekend for Christmas on the Ridge. A huge thank you to all our local businesses who stepped up and made the street full of beauty and charm. Thank you to Spacifix who sponsored our charming ice snowman sculpture, Team Zing who sponsored the frame ice sculpture, and DW Howard who sponsored the live ice sculpture. Thank you to the Fort Erie Arts Council who knocked it out of the park with the Whoville room!! Thank you to all the Christmas vendors who lined our streets with amazing goodies and products. To our volunteers from the Fort Erie Fire Department, thank you for manning our fire pits; Joe from our Independent Grocer for the generous donation of marshmallows. Thanks to 335 on the Ridge and Chuck Lord for organizing and donating staff for our successful igloo, Marina Butler for organizing the sponsored Christmas trees that lined our streets and to the developers for their sponsorship. Thank you, Karen and John Arbour and Dale for the countless hours of decorating our town tree and everything that lines our streets. And finally, to all the volunteers who donated their time manning fire pits, barricades, and picnic tables, THANK YOU!

“Our Christmas on the Ridge was successful because of all of you!”

Giving a special thanks to the Events Committee, Sarah added, “Chuck did so much paperwork. Karin organized the whole market. The plates on the members’ tables were so full and they met every deadline with grace.”

She wrapped it up with wonderful words. “I think that’s a whole part of the Events Committee and the BIA Board. We want to invest in our community that has invested in us.”