Thanks to Kelby King and Avita Health System, people who attended the Ontario tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday got to enjoy a ride in a horse drawn carriage to the former movie theatre across Stumbo Road and back to city hall. Both horses had sleigh bells attached to their heads and the carriage was decked out with lights and garland to add some festive holiday cheer.
“We decided that we needed to do something during the holidays to bring the community together,” said Mark Weidemyre, Ontario city councilman and member of the Ontario Growth Association, of why the city’s Christmas celebration was started nine years ago. “We don’t have a town square per sey but we just wanted to bring people together during the holidays to see their neighbors and fellow community members.”
Weidemyre said a blue spruce was donated and planted in the front yard of city hall nine years ago to help celebrate the holidays.
“We [planted] it for this specific purpose,” he said. “We started lighting it and decided to kick off the holidays in Ontario with a tree lighting.”
The Ontario Growth Association’s new slogan is, ‘Make it Ontario,’ Weidemyre said.
“We’re looking forward to a great shopping season,” he said.
As some of the children and their parents sat at tables making crafty snowman face magnets, the Ontario High School Jazz Band played soulful renditions of holiday favorites like, ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,’ ‘O Come All Ye Faithful,’ ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick.’ Parents and grandparents used their smart phones to video and take pictures of their band members.
As the band played holiday favorites with a jazz-like twist, young children danced and twirled in circles and enjoyed the holiday surroundings.
Cookies and hot cocoa were served and were a big hit with the children.
Mansfield resident Brennan Robinson brought his son, Carter, 1, out to Ontario city hall to enjoy the holiday festivities.
“We wanted to support the community of Ontario,” Robinson said. “My father-in-law, Barry Lewis, is actually an active member of the Ontario community.”
Rebecca Clay and Carole Johnson, Carter’s grandmother and great-grandmother respectively, also enjoyed the event. This was the family’s first time attending the tree lighting ceremony.
“We are so excited,” Robinson said of the Christmas season. “This is the best time of the year.”
Robinson said Carter will turn two-years-old on December 18. Johnson’s birthday is December 19.
“(Carter) was the best birthday and Christmas present ever,” Johnson loving said.
The Ontario Lions Club also sponsored a coloring contest for students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade at all Ontario elementary schools. First through third place finalists were given a gift card to Toys-R-Us, which was donated by the local Lions Club.
Mansfield resident Amanda Irven brought her four children, ages 11, 9, 6 and 4, out to partake in the Christmas activities. She stood in line with her children to wait for a highly anticipated photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Irven said she has been to the tree lighting ceremony in the past and looks forward to bringing her children back every year for the holiday excitement.
“Seeing the enjoyment on the kids’ faces is really nice,” she said.
