In Your Community

Visit downtown Burford on Friday, December 2, as a number of businesses and community partners celebrate the holiday season.

Special events taking place include:

• Town Crier opening at 5:45 pm
• Tree lighting at 6 pm
• Caroling at 6:15 pm
• The Masons will be serving hot chocolate and cookies and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there!

To learn more view the event flyer or follow the Burford Optimist Club on Facebook.

The Paris Firefighters are pleased to present the annual Paris Santa Claus Parade!

• Starting at 6:00 pm
• NEW ROUTE: Float staging will be at Canadian Tire parking lot and parade will begin from this plaza
  • Right on Trillium Way
  • Right on Forest Drive
  • Left on Magnolia Drive
  • Right on Oak Ave
  • Left on Scott Ave
  • Left on Whitlaw Way
  • Right on Oak Ave
  • Finish at Paris Fairgrounds
• For floats registration, contact parischristmasparade@outlook.com

The Paris Firefighters Club has shared the following information:

The Burford Lions Club is pleased to present the annual Burford Santa Claus Parade! 

• Starting at 5:00 pm
• Float staging will be at Delarine Drive, parade will begin here and head west to Potter Drive
  • Right on Potter Drive
  • Right on King Street
  • Right on Park Ave
  • Finish at Burford Fairgrounds
• For floats registration, contact MarieAnne Kennette at saucymarie71@gmail.com

To learn more please follow the Burford Lions Club on Facebook.

The St. George Firefighters are pleased to present the annual St. George Santa Claus Parade! 

• Starting at 6:00 pm
  • Float staging will be at Scott Street
  • The route starts on Beverly Street West
  • Turns right on High Street
  • Turns left on Main Street South
  • Travels north on Main Street South to Main Street North
  • Travels up Main Street North to Andrew Street

• For floats registration, contact Brian McDonald brian.mcdonald@brant.ca

Event Registration - starts Monday, November 14

Sensitive Santa is reserved for children in the County of Brant and City of Brantford who require a sensory-friendly environment. This free event is hosted in partnership by the County of Brant, City of Brantford and Sensity Deafblind and Sensory Support Network of Canada.

If you need a ride, consider booking with Brant Transit. Visit the Brant Transit webpage to learn more.

• Sunday, December 11 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm at the Burford Community Centre - presented by the Burford Optimist Club
• Friday, December 30 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the Gaukel Memorial Community Centre - presented by MPP Will Bouma
• Wednesday, January 4 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at the Brant Sports Complex - presented by the Grand Erie District School Board Occasional Teachers

New Years Eve Public and Beginner Skate - Fee: $3/person

• Saturday, December 31 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at the Brant Sports Complex

Additional Holiday Skates - Fee: $3/person

• January 2, 3 and 5 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at the Brant Sports Complex
• January 2 and 3 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm at the Burford Community Centre
• January 2 and 4 from 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm at the Gaukel Memorial Community Centre
• January 5 from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the Burford Community Centre
• January 5 from 9:00 am - 10:00 am at the Gaukel Memorial Community Centre

For more information on skates in the County of Brant visit the skating webpage.

To receive a Christmas Hamper from the Community Toy and Hamper program, applicants must submit an application starting Tuesday, November 1, 2022. 

• Applications are available at the Paris County Of Brant Customer Service Office, 66 Grand River Street North, as well as online: 2022 Community Christmas Toy and Hamper Program Application
• Christmas Hampers will be distributed on Friday, December 16 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Paris Fairgrounds. 

Non-perishable food items and new toys can be dropped off at:

• Paris Customer Service Office, 66 Grand River St North
• LCBO outlet on Mechanic St, Paris
• CIBC branch on Grand River St North, Paris
• TD Canada Trust branch on Grand River St North, Paris
• YNCU on Grand River St North, Paris
• BMO Bank of Montreal branch on Grand River St North, Paris
• The Full Plate, 30 Paris Rd, Paris
• Cowan Community Health Hub, Paris

The Season of Sharing campaign offers several giving opportunities to help ensure that each one of the children and youth we serve has something to celebrate this holiday season. Please visit the Child and Family Services of Grand Erie website for more information.

Are you looking for assistance this holiday season? A number of local food banks and pantries are available throughout our community to those in need, visit our Community and Social Resources webpage for more information.

A number of local businesses and community groups offer the opportunity to give back to those in our community over the holiday season. Please find events below and also visit our online events calendar.

• Make a donation to a food bank or pantry, learn more by visiting the Community and Social Resources page of our website.
  
  
• Paris Santa Claus Parade - Saturday, December 3 at 6:00 pm (find more information in the Parade section above)
  • Non-perishable food items and toys will be collected along the route.
  • Firefighters will be walking the route with fire boots collecting monetary donations. These donations will be used to help with community initiatives.
    
    
• JEM Meet Santa Fundraiser - Sunday, December 4 from 1:00 to 6:00 pm
  • Come meet Santa, enjoy free hot chocolate and get have your photos taken with Santa for FREE
    There is no entry fee however, we are asking that you please bring non-perishable food items to donate for the Paris Community Christmas Hamper Program. This event is held outdoors, please dress for the weather! To learn more visit the Facebook Event.
    
    
• Burford Santa Claus Parade - Saturday, December 10 at 5:00 pm
  • Non-perishable food items will be collected along the route.
    
    
• The St. George Volunteer Firefighters will be taking donations of non-perishable food items at the St. George Freshmart on December 3, 4, 10 and 11 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.