Santa is riding the rails this season on the Orangeville Brampton Railway.(Handout - Orangeville Brampton Railway)

Seasonal Canadian escapes

'Tis the season for festive favourites including lightdisplays, riding the rails with Santa and the jolly gent's Parade of Lights in Stratford.

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Sainte-Marie among the Hurons' First Light is a seasonalhighlight, returning for its eighth year.

+ From the editor: Holiday travel

'This year features a new Huron Carol exhibit, children's Christmascrafts, a variety of musical performances, presentations reflectingFranco-Ontarian and First Nations cultures and much more - all amidst themagical glow of over 2,000 candles,' said publicist Bill Brodeur.

It takes place at the Huronia Historical Parks site near Midlandnext Thursday to Saturday (Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1) from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Huron Carol is believed to have been written by Father Jean deBrebeuf who lived at Sainte-Marie in 1643.

'A special exhibit in the museum will focus on Canada's famouscarol and display reproductions of beautiful paintings by Frances Tyrrell,award-winning illustrator of the children's book The Huron Carol. Frances willalso be in the foyer autographing her book each night,' Brodeur said.

Activities for children including making their own Christmas cardswith quill pens and decorating mini-wreaths.

Local French group La Cle d'la Baie will show how to create fleur-de-lisdecorations while members of the Metis Nation of Ontario will make festivestockings in the foyer.

In the Sainte-Marie cookhouse, area chef Jesse Ford will assemblean impressive display of Christmas baked goods, all based on traditional ingredients.

Along with musicians and theatre ensembles, each night in thehistoric longhouses will have performances by the Christian Island Native DrumGroup while the Jock family will present traditional native water drumming,singing and dancing.

Restaurant Sainte-Marie will be transformed into a French-stylecafe and shoppers will find artisans with their wares and the gift shop open.

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Pinafore Park in St. Thomas will become a winter wonderlandstarting next Friday (Nov. 30) for the Fantasy of Lights official launch at 6p.m.

'This yearly occurrence began in 1993 with 23 displays andhas evolved into a December light show of over 100 displays,' saidpublicist Lori Calvert.

Local singer Bob Finlay will perform outside by the West Pavilionwith a variety of entertainment nightly on weekends through Dec. 30.

The fantasy is a labour of love for community volunteers whocreate the displays, assemble and dismantle them.

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All aboard the Santa trains on the Orangeville Brampton Railway,the Port Stanley Terminal Rail and the South Simcoe Railway.

'Passengers relax in the heated comfort of classicpicture-window coaches while enjoying views of the passing countryside on aspecial 45-minute tour featuring live musical entertainment, treats and apersonal at-seat visit from Santa,' said Orangeville Brampton publicistEdward Wakeford.

The train huffs and puffs on Dec. 2 and 9 from Orangeville andDec. 16 from Inglewood, just north of Brampton.

Santa will ride the rails on the Port Stanley Terminal Rail onweekends Dec. 1 through Dec. 23.

'Watch your children's anticipation grow, as we near ourdestination and meet Santa,' said Dan Vernackt, rail president.

All aboard the Santa Express on the South Simcoe Railway onSaturdays and Sundays from Dec. 1 to 16.

In its 15th year, Santa climbs aboard the historic rail carspulled by Old 1057, a relic steam engine that chugs out of the Tottenhamstation northwest of Toronto.

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Busy Santa will also take part in the Parade of Lights in Stratford on Dec. 2.

This event will incorporate the traditional Santa Claus Parade andthe Parade of Lights to City Hall where there will be the tree-lightingceremony and performers from the Starbright Concert leading the carolling from5:30 p.m. (www.sparklingstratford.com; 519-271-8829).

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If you go:

- First Light at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, costs $5 (childrento age five, free) with a non-perishable food item.
Details:www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca; (705) 526-7838.

- The Fantasy of Lights in St. Thomas info: www.fantasylights.org; (519) 631-8902.

- Orangeville Brampton Railway Santa Train tickets are $13.50 byadvance reservation only. For times, info: www.santatrain.ca; 1-888-346-0046.

- The Port Stanley Santa Express Train fares are $11.50, adults;$7, children, two to 12. Times, info: www.pstr.on.ca; 1-877-244-4478.

- The South Simcoe Railway Santa Express train fares are $13; $7for children. Times, info: www.steamtrain.com; (905) 936-5815.


Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com