PARRSBORO, N.S. – Christmas will be a little brighter here this year, thanks to the efforts of a generous community and a few busy volunteers.
It all started with a Facebook post from Jessica Wheaton, showing a Christmas display from another community in a magazine, suggesting the same things could be done in Parrsboro.
“The attractiveness of the whole thing was that it was really classic, traditional,” said Donna Yorke. “It was perfect for our band shell. It really snowballed from there.”
An informal group including Yorke, Wheaton, Janice McLellan, Barb Amon and Ron Shaw soon came together, and started putting plans together for the Parrsboro bandstand area. Graphic designer Claudia Mannion was enlisted to do an artistic pre-conception, and they all went to work.
They soon found the community was on board too.
“We didn’t even try to raise funds,” said McLellan. “We just created an event, and then people started donating money in the community. We haven’t had to ask for anything.”
Donations and discounts came from businesses and individuals, from the Co-op to the post office, to Harrison’s and even the students at the elementary school. Donations ranged from $5 to $200, allowing them to buy quality garland and ribbons, and 3,400 lights. Bob Foley built and donated supplies for a manger scene at the Anglican church, while the county works crew helped put things together.
They are still working at it, but promise everything will be in place for the traditional community tree light up, which will be hosted by the Parrsboro and District Board of Trade on Friday, Nov. 24.
The outpouring of community support has them already thinking about next year.
“All of this money was spent on quality things we can use from year to year,” said Amon. “We will be taking them down and packing them away.”
