Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Midland wrapped up its 23rd year of the First Light event last weekend, running from Nov. 16 to Dec. 2.
It’s becoming known as a must-see annual holiday event, with a lineup of family activities and live musical performances, amidst the glow of thousands of candles after dark.
A popular stop on the self-guided tour of the grounds was a candle-making demonstration, using beeswax.
On Saturday, the final night of First Light, folk musician Doug Feaver entertained with his guitar and songs.
Chris Walser put on an interactive show with hand drums and stories in a longhouse, teaching people the art of indigenous drumming, with visitors joining in themselves on drums.
Walser, originally from Christian island, now living in Orillia, said after his performance “I love putting a smile on people’s faces, and allowing them to enjoy the drum.
“It’s very important to show what we know, so giving back to the community, and sharing that knowledge, is very important,” he added.
Mikaela Lefaive, the marketing and media relations co-ordinator for Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, said attendance numbers were back up to where they were in 2019, with well over 12,000 people passing through the gates over nine nights during First Light.
