By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For other places, it might be a lofty goal.
Not so for Dresden.
The volunteer-driven community has decided it wants to be known as Southwestern Ontario’s Christmas Town.
“You can’t score unless you set a goal,” said spokeswoman Liz Kominek, one of the volunteer organizers. “This is a collaboration. We have many community groups and individuals who want to work on this initiative.”
Dresden is looking to build on the success of last year’s inaugural Dresden Shines event, where businesses, residents and neighbourhoods went all out setting the town a-twinkle.
The initiative snowballed, featuring an online illumination map designed to make it easier for motorists to see the sights.
The idea caught on with Chatham-Kent getting on board, creating an illumination map for the entire municipality.
If last Saturday’s events are any indication, the Christmas Town idea is off to a good start. Sidestreets Youth Centre was abuzz with volunteers, serving as home base for the first decorating day.
Around town, volunteers were hard at it, sprucing up homes, trees, businesses and public spaces.
Cindy Brewer, former organizer of Dresden’s Terry Fox Run, said setting goals and achieving them is what the town is all about.
“We’re not competing with commercial Christmas attractions,” Brewer. “This a home-grown personal event.”
2021 will also see the return of the wildly popular Dresden Night Market Nov. 27, put on ice because of COVID-19. In addition, a stationary Santa Claus parade will take place Dec. 11 and the second Neighbourhood Cup competition, where neighbourhoods will face off to see who has the best decorations, will take place as well.
For more information or to volunteer, visit https://dresden.ca/.
