One-Tank Trip for
Nov. 28/15
(c) By Jim Fox
A holiday season tradition
now is making fun of “ugly” Christmas sweaters.
Start knitting or
searching for that classic pullover or cardigan for the Ugly Christmas Sweater
Cocktail Cruise Dec. 18 on Toronto’s Waterfront.
This adults-only
event marks National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, so “get decked out in your
ugliest,” says publicist Peter Ashworth.
 |
| Getting ready for the Ugly Christmas Sweater Cocktail Cruise on Toronto’s Waterfront. |
This will be a “festive
evening” on Mariposa Cruises’ Northern Spirit that includes a Santa costume contest,
with the two-hour sailings boarding at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
“Everyone has
at least one Christmas sweater that is truly hideous,” said Carol Jolly,
executive director of the Waterfront BIA.
Cruisers can pop
into the “bad Santa” photo booth and dress up their ugly sweater with festive
holiday props for a complimentary souvenir picture, she said.
The cruise includes
fun food stations, hors d’oeuvres and a DJ playing Top 40 tunes and “horrendous
holiday classics” to set the mood.
A family event
is joining Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves for a two-hour brunch cruise
aboard the Northern Spirit on Dec. 19 and 20, boarding at 11:30 a.m.
Along with a lavish
brunch menu, the elves will be entertaining, handing out holiday treats and making
sure everyone has a photo keepsake taken with Santa.
 |
| Taking part in a BeaverTail pastry-eating contest at Winterfest |
There will be
kid-friendly activities including crafts, carolling, face painting and plenty
of reindeer games.
Advance tickets are
needed for the sweater cruise, costing $39.95 plus tax. The Santa cruise is $48.95,
adults; $44.06, seniors; $24.95, ages four to12; no charge to age four. mariposacruises.com;
(416) 203-0178.
Other activities
during Winterfest, Dec. 18 to 20, include people and pet photos with Santa, the
Ultimutts Stunt Dog Show at Purina PawsWay, crafts, carolling, face painting,
visits to the Museum of Inuit Art and a pastry-eating contest hosted by
BeaverTails mascot Beav.
 |
| Pets can get their photos taken with Santa at Winterfest on Toronto’s Waterfront. |
The waterfront is also
holding its Spectacle of Lights from today through Jan. 1 that kicks things off
with a Shop the Neighbourhood event. waterfrontbia.com; (416) 596-9821
Wunderbar in Kitchener
The Christkindl
Market recreates a Christmas tradition dating back 700 years when towns and
cities across Germany came alive with the sights and sounds
of the season.
In Kitchener, the
oldest and largest German community in Canada, the market takes place at city
hall from Dec. 3 to 6.
This free event
brings back “the sights, sounds and smells” of an authentic German Christmas
market, said president Astrid Braun.
 |
| Organ grinder Klaus and farmhand Knecht Ruprecht entertain at the Christkindl Market. (Photo: Pirak.com) |
Along with rustic
wooden booths and stalls full of traditional handmade Christmas ornaments,
nutcrackers, wooden figurines and food are about 30 bands, choirs and dance
groups performing.
Folkloric
characters include Christkindl (Christ Child), her angels, farmhand Knecht
Ruprecht, and Klaus the Organ Grinder.
There’s a
candlelight procession “led by Mary, Joseph and their stalwart donkey,” accompanied
by the Grand Philharmonic Choir and carollers, and there’s a popular model
railway display. christkindl.ca; (519)
741-2200
All aboard!
Port Stanley Terminal
Rail’s “Santa Treats” train chugs through the Elgin County’s countryside the
first three weekends in December.
Railway president
Dan Vernackt said there will be live entertainment on some trains and included
are treats of hot chocolate, apple cider and mince tarts.
 |
| Santa gets ready to ride the Port Stanley Terminal Rail. |
“Watch the
children’s anticipation grow as we near our destination to meet Santa,” he
added.
Train times are Dec.
5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Fares are $15,
adults; $9, children, ages two to 14, tax included. pstr.on.ca; 1-877-244-4478
Taking flight
Flight of White:
Experience a Snowfall of Butterflies at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
from Dec. 5 to Jan. 30.
“This truly unique
holiday exhibit transforms the tropical butterfly conservatory into a magical
oasis featuring thousands of additional rice paper butterflies flying freely,”
said Doug Wilson, board chair.
 |
| A rice paper butterfly rests on a leaf at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. |
The butterfly is a large
relative of the monarch and floats through the air moving from flower to
flower.
The experience also
includes lush white poinsettia flowers, thousands of sparking white lights and
soft strains of classical music playing in the background.
Santa and Mrs.
Claus will be at the conservatory on Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for photos and
cookie decorating. Reservations are required. cambridgebutterfly.com; (519) 653-1234
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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