Stroll by Santa draws in many youths and the young at heart

by Essex Free Press Staff

With hot dogs and pizza available, cookie decorating, and opportunities to get a picture with Santa, mail Christmas wishes to the North Pole, play holiday-themed games, and listen in on festive music, there were plenty of reasons to head down to the McGregor Parkette on Friday evening to enjoy this year’s Stroll by Santa event.

  With all the activities, coupled with great evening weather, this year’s event was a big hit in the small hamlet, perhaps attracting a near record number of visitors.

  Councillor Kim Verbeek, who is the McGregor (Ward 2) rep on Essex Council, is always pleased to host this event with the help of a solid crew of helpers.

  “It’s a real community event,” Verbeek said, dressed in her warmest winter gear, watching on as youths went station-to-station to collect a free gift and treats, all while enjoying the entertainment provided. “It brings everyone together.”

  All the Stroll by Santa offers would not be possible without her crew of volunteers, who have the event planning down to an art, and the support from the McGregor area service groups and businesses that pitch-in. For instance, the McGregor Squires donated the hot dogs and Naples donated the pizza, making them free for visitors. 

  Other sponsors include McGregor Knights of Columbus, One Parnell apartments, McGregor Columbian Club, TailWagger’s Inn, the Town of Essex, Joyful Motif, Hidden Creek park store, Parrothead Popcorn, and Mayor Sherry Bondy

  There were also prizes to be won, candy to collect, and popcorn to enjoy.

  As Christmas can be an expensive time of year for families, Verbeek is proud to offer the free event to the community, and enjoys seeing many come out to embrace all it has to offer inside the little parkette that is lit-up for the holiday season with standing illuminated decorations, in addition to hanging twinkling lights added to enhance the atmosphere of the event.

  She was pleasantly surprised to see that this year’s event attracted not only families with young kids, but adults wanting to come out and take in the holiday atmosphere.

  With the success of the event, Verbeek plans to host it for the community again next year.

  Verbeek initiated a Christmas event in 2019, and it was cancelled the following year due to the pandemic. That is where the Stroll by Santa event took form, as it followed public guidelines in 2021. Now, the event remains a fun, and interactive, holiday event.