Hundreds of local residents, families and kids came out to the third annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Guild Park on Dec. 5, 2015. It was a fun-filled event, with friends and neighbours enjoying hot chocolate and cider, visiting special guest Santa Claus, singing Christmas songs and listing to ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas recited by "Rosa Clark." The popular event was organized again by Friends of Guild Park & Gardens and held in the front garden of Guild Park, right in front of the old Guild Inn.
This is a uniquely “Guildwoodian” way for people to enjoy some community spirit and start the Christmas season of holidays all in keeping with the legacy of Rosa and Spencer Clark, the philanthropists who owned and operated the Guild Inn for decades.
Photo: At the illuminated Guild Park Christmas Tree are three generations of the Kennedy family. From left, George Brown, Lucas Brown, Margaret Kennedy, Kate Kennedy (VP of Friends of Guild Park) and Janet Heise (Secretary of the Friends group) wearing her Rosa Clark outfit.
Thanks to:
Guildwood resident and one-man, ukelele-playing carol meister, Jay Moonah, for leading the sing-song sessions, with all the lyrics available on paper or via smartphone!
City Councillor Paul Ainslie and son Tommy for officially lighting the 60-foot blue spruce Christmas Tree.
Volunteer Janet Heise, a local resident who portrays Rosa Clark at many events, including Guild Park walking tours, festivals and performance by the Guild Festival Theatre troupe.
The local event supporters who donated and contributed to the successful event: Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, the Guildwood Village Community Association, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate, plus the Tim Hortons and Bullock's Valu-Mart, both at the Guildwood Plaza.
The City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Dept., especially the Forestry “bucket truck crew” who helped string new lights on the tall evergreen at Guild Park
Plus, all the other volunteers who did all the behind-the-scenes work so the stage and tables were set, the power was on and the chocolate was hot!