Holiday Magic Floods Elmvale as Christmas Night Market Shines Brighter Than Ever
By Matt Garwood, Nov 24, 2025
The 2025 Elmvale Christmas Night Market wrapped up with a powerful display of community spirit, festive energy, and hometown pride. Thousands of visitors filled the streets, creating a lively atmosphere that highlighted everything special about Elmvale. Thanks to the Elmvale BIA, Elmvale Markets, local businesses, and the many guests who attended, the event shone brighter than ever.
One of the most memorable aspects was the community’s support for the Elmvale & District Food Bank. Families, friends, and neighbours donated generously to help local households heading into the holiday season.
The Night Market also provided an important boost to the local economy. Businesses saw increased foot traffic, strong shop-local engagement, and an influx of new visitors discovering what makes Elmvale such a warm and vibrant destination. The dedicated volunteers and organizers behind the scenes brought the market to life, showing the impact of a shared community vision.
Beyond the lights and celebrations, the Elmvale Christmas Night Market continues to strengthen confidence among local businesses and invest in the future of Queen Street. It reinforces Springwater as a place full of opportunity, where ideas grow, businesses thrive, and community spirit runs deep.
With the excitement of 2025 still fresh, the community is already looking ahead. The next Elmvale Christmas Night Market will be held November 19 and 20, 2026, promising even more magic and momentum. And don’t forget Elmvale Markets’ other annual tradition, the Elmvale Farmers’ Market, returning for another vibrant season in 2026.
Event organizers: The Tiny Art Shack, Studio 31, Covery Wellness Centre, Collective Makers Studio, The Lantern Lady, PL Fencing
A Hallmark Moment in Elmvale: Tree Lighting Ceremony Honours Morgan “Mugs” Adams
By Linda Belcourt, Editor, Nov 29, 2025
On behalf of Maple Syrup Festival President Greg Davidson and the entire board, Dan Clement welcomed everyone to the Elmvale Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday November 28, 2025. The annual event continues to be a crowd favourite and a cherished way to kick off the Christmas season.
The audience offered warm applause to the EDHS students who provided musical entertainment under the direction of Jesse Muldoon.
Dan then invited Her Worship, Springwater Mayor Jennifer Coughlan, along with Ward 1 Councillor Matt Garwood, to bring greetings from the Township of Springwater. President Greg Davidson followed with greetings on behalf of the Maple Syrup Festival committee, and Trustee Liz Grummet also shared greetings on behalf of the SCDSB.
Many individuals and businesses help make this evening possible through their generosity—donating time, equipment, materials, and financial support.
This year’s beautiful tree was donated by Joan Thompson of 21 Bertram Drive in Elmvale. Thank you, Joan!
Special thanks also go to the Christmas Tree Boys, led by Doug Kirton—Tim, Tom and Rusty McGinnis, Doug and Dan Tinney, Paul Archer, and Mark Columbus—who located the tree, cut it, transported it from Bertram Drive, and installed it for tonight’s celebration.
Thank you to George Bagley of BMR Pro Elmvale and Wasaga Beach for supplying the boom truck used to transport and install the tree, and to BMR staff member Warren for operating it. Appreciation also goes to Peter Minnings for supplying the bucket truck, and to Matt Lalonde for operating it, installing the lights, and placing the Minty Star on top in memory of Doug Minty.
Thank you as well to Springwater Library staff member Katlyn for assisting with the children’s crafts and providing the popcorn maker; to Tim Lalonde for the maple-flavoured cotton candy; and to the Flos Agricultural Society for the portable lighting.
A final thank you to all the Maple Syrup Festival board members for the many hours they volunteer each year.
The 58th Annual Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival will be held Saturday, April 25, 2026. Anyone interested in joining the committee is invited to speak with President Greg or any board member. Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026!
This year’s tree lighting celebration was dedicated to the memory of a true gentleman taken far too soon—Morgan “Mugs” Adams. Morgan was a proud hometown boy, surrounded throughout his life by family and friends in Elmvale. He carried a distinctive tattoo of the Highway 92 and Highway 27 road signs—the very crossroads at the heart of our village, a place he loved deeply.
People gathered around the annual Christmas tree standing proudly at the four corners Morgan cherished. Present were Morgan’s son Otto and his family; his wife Alannah; his sister Breanne; and his parents Wade and Kelly. Together, the family lit the tree with beautiful lights in his honour.
It was a touching tribute to Morgan, and to all who have offered kind words and support to his family during this difficult time. Morgan’s family expressed how meaningful it was to see the tree standing tall and bright throughout the Christmas season—a symbol of love, community, and remembrance.
On behalf of Morgan’s family, thank you all—and Merry Christmas.
(Thanks to Dan Clements assistance with this article)
E.D.G.E. Merry Christmas
By Nancy Lockhart, Nov 25, 2025 – It’s that time of year again. If you don’t have one yet, you soon will. Everywhere you look, you see them. Little ones, medium ones and big ones (three to a pot). They come in the usual colour of red. But they also come in different colours: pale yellow, coral, white and variegated colours. If you haven’t guessed by now, it’s the traditional Christmas flower, the Poinsettia.
The poinsettia plant is forced to bloom, in time for Christmas. The “flower” part of the plant, are the tiny yellow circles or bracts. The colourful part of the plant are floral bracts or modified leaves. Place your poinsettia where it can get bright indirect light for at least six to eight hours. Water your plant when the soil surface feels dry to the touch. Take the plant out of its decorative sleeve and let the water drain from the pot. Wilting leaves and rotted roots are usually signs of over watering. Also if your house leans to the dry side in the winter, place the plant on a tray of pebbles and water, to increase humidity.
Do you throw out your poinsettia at the end of the holiday season? Poinsettias are actually long-living perennials. If you want to try getting your poinsettia to re-bloom next holiday season; check out the poinsettia articles on The Spruce website. There you will find detailed steps. I remember my grandma doing this. I tried once, didn’t work for me.
On behalf of E.D.G.E. a thank you to all those who joined us for our monthly meetings this year. It was great seeing everyone. So here’s wishing everybody a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah. And we’ll see you next year in March.
How to Get Poinsettias to Rebloom
By Linda Belcourt, Editor
December to Early Spring
Continue caring for your holiday poinsettia through winter.
Keep the soil evenly moist—but never soggy.
As spring approaches, slowly reduce watering so the soil dries out between waterings.
Watch the stems closely; if they start to shrivel, the plant is too dry.
Once the plant has adjusted (usually in a week or two), move it to a cool area such as a basement or heated garage. Aim for a temperature around 60°F (15°C).
May
By mid-May, it’s time for some rejuvenation.
Cut all stems back to about four inches.
Repot into a slightly larger container with fresh potting soil.
Water well and place the plant in the brightest window you have. Keep indoor temperatures between 65–75°F (18–24°C).
Water whenever the top of the soil feels dry, and start fertilizing every two weeks once new growth begins.
Summer
When warm weather arrives, move the poinsettia outdoors.
Choose a partially shaded location.
Maintain your watering and fertilizing routine.
In early July, pinch back each stem by about one inch to encourage a fuller, sturdier plant.
By mid-August, new branches will have formed. Pinch back the new stems again, leaving 3–4 leaves per shoot. Then bring the plant back indoors to a bright window.
October
This is the most important stage. Poinsettias are short-day plants, meaning they need long periods of uninterrupted darkness to form buds.
Starting October 1:
Give the plant 12–14 hours of complete darkness each day—from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Even the smallest amount of light (lamps, cracks under doors, etc.) can delay blooming.
Use a sturdy, opaque box or place the plant in a closet that you won’t open at night.
During the day, return the plant to a sunny window and continue regular watering and fertilizing.
Remain consistent for at least 10 weeks.
November and December
In the last week of November, stop the darkness treatment.
Leave the plant in a bright window full-time.
Buds should be visible by now.
Stop fertilizing by mid-December, but continue watering as needed.
If everything has gone well, the colourful bracts will begin to show just in time for the holidays.