Ridgeway lights up for annual Christmas on the Ridge celebration

Christmas on the Ridge brought families into downtown Ridgeway on Friday for children’s choirs, hot drinks and horse-drawn wagon rides before the holiday rush.

The long-running Christmas on the Ridge street festival took over Ridge Road on December 5 with performances by students from St. Philomena Catholic Elementary School and John Brant Public School. It has operated in Ridgeway for more than two decades and remains one of Fort Erie’s biggest holiday events.

At Ridgeway Village Square, Ward 4 Councillor Joan Christensen stepped in as an impromptu organizer during the tree lighting after another organizer became ill and a second had to leave the festivities early.

“All I have to do is remember it is fun, the kids enjoy it, and that is all that is important,” said Christensen.

She told Fort Erie Radio this year’s turnout was one of the strongest she has seen in several years.

“Today has been such a perfect day,” she said.

Parent volunteer Jackie Crown helped guide a group of 20 students from St. Philomena through their Christmas carols, along with two new teachers, Mrs. May and Mr. Gomez.

Crown told Fort Erie Radio about 20 children performed Friday as part of the school’s choir, which has grown from 54 students last year to 117 this year, a sharp jump for a school of about 250 students.

“It just gives holiday spirit, and it gives families a reason to join together and enjoy their little kids, enjoying the magic of Christmas,” said Crown.

Families filled the square early in the evening for the tree lighting and stayed along Ridge Road for carols, horse-drawn buggy rides and snacks from nearby businesses.

Members of the Ridgeway-Crystal Beach Kin Club were there offering passersby snacks and cups of hot apple cider.

“Help the community, support the community, that is the whole motto of Kin service, to support the greatest needs. Everybody needs help,” said Tim Haggerty, a lifelong member of the Kin Club.

For Jan Kortellos, Kin Club co-chair, fellowship remains central to the club’s presence at the Ridgeway event year after year.

“It’s great to get time together before everything gets too busy for Christmas, and people forget the community,” said Kortellos.

Also on Ridge Road was the Fort Erie SPCA with rescue dogs on display, looking for adoption, and baked goods for sale, raising money to support their efforts.

Nearby, Travelling Tails, a new dog playgroup service using a converted school bus, made its first appearance at Christmas on the Ridge. The small business has been operating in Fort Erie for only a few weeks.

Co-founders Jenny Toth and Kayla Culp pick up dogs from homes in the Bark Bus, drive them to a fenced rural property owned by Toth’s brother for supervised play, then return them at the end of each session.

“It is mainly for people who are working all day, and they want their dogs to get socialized a little bit, but they do not need a full day,” said Culp.

Toth said they were invited to the event by Dale Baer of Frydaze Chip Shack, who was very impressed with their service after taking part in the recent Fort Erie Santa Claus Parade.

Residents were asked to bring non-perishable food and hygiene products to support Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods in exchange for a free horse and buggy ride. Santa held a photo line inside the Boggio and Edwards pharmacy from 5 to 8 p.m.

Fire pits and marshmallows were supplied with wood donated by DB Building Materials.

Residents who want to keep the spirit of giving alive are encouraged to donate to Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods through their website.

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