John Griffin

John Griffin, LJI

When the days are short and the nights go on forever, the annual Knowlton Santa Claus parade provides hope of light to come.

The family event returns this year after an irritating hiatus caused by the party-pooping COVID virus, and local Lions Club

organizers are counting on community support and seasonal spirit to ensure a wonderful time is had by all.

“We started talking about this year’s parade in 2022,” said self-effacing Gib Rotherham, who admitted after much prodding that he is club president and therefore in a position to discuss the event.

It is believed this year marks the 61st edition. “We are proud that our little town has held this parade for so long. It began shortly after the Brome Lake branch of the Lions began, around 1960. We thought it would be a good thing for the community. And so we started what has since become a tradition.”

“Bravo to the town for providing the roads and the permits, but this is a Lions members initiative. We are entirely supported by local business, with our firefighters and their decorated trucks

leading the parade route from Windmill Plastics to finish at Knowlton Academy.” There will be horses. And costumes.

“The parade size depends on the number of participants. It usually lasts between one and two hours. One of our members dresses as Scrooge, and Santa, of course, is always the star attraction. It would not be Christmas without him.

“There are also goodies for the kids and a chance for them to chat with Santa. They love it.”

The 61st Knowlton Santa Claus Parade begins at 1 p.m. at Windmill Plastics, rain or shine, sleet, snow or hail, and continues through town to end at Knowlton Academy.

John Griffin, LJI

Jessica Brown is a busy real estate agent. She has her own home and a vibrant family to go with it. Why on earth would she take on the additional challenge of directing the Knowlton Players in the upcoming Yuletide-themed production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever?

“I love theatre, “ she said between rehearsals at Knowlton’s United Church.” I have loved it since I can remember. Now It gives me a chance to get my teenager involved, and it gives me energy. We all love it.”

By ‘all’, Brown is not talking about some intimate two-hander debating the mysteries of the Immaculate Conception. This is a broad comedy by Barbara Robinson, set in the 1970s, with a cast of 25, and buoyed by the seasonal carols and joyous spirit we can so use as the year’s days draw down.

But It has not been without its learning curve. “There are 10 adult roles,” Brown explained. “The rest are kids. They had no idea what a pageant was. It all had to be explained to them. By definition it is a challenge.”

“It’s going really well so far, but now we’re down to crunch time.” Costume designer Linda Carey’s fingers are flying overtime; stage manager Juli Peasley is wrestling with getting all those bodies onto the stage at Theatre Lac Brome; and Brown is coming to grips with the scope of the work she’s taken on.

“Anytime you have that many kids involved, you are talking the higher end of ambitious. But the play is so funny and the kids are so much fun, it’s been worth it.”

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is set for Theatre Lac Brome, November 24 to 26, and December 1 to 3. Tickets are on sale at the theatre since the end of October.

John Griffin, LJI

The Knowlton Literary Festival has closed the books on its 13th edition, October 12 to 14, with organizers calling the event a rousing success. There were sold-out houses for Kathy Reichs, the best-selling writer of forensic anthropology thrillers; and a discussion provocatively titled The End of Journalism? introduced by Knowlton’s own Louise Penny, moderated by Wendy Mesley, and featuring writers Jacquie McNish and Paul Wells. Opening night featured Roen Higgins, a poet and performance artist who turned the event into what co-organizer Lucy Hoblyn called ‘so much more than a book reading.’

“All around, it was our most successful year for getting buns into seats,” said an elated Hoblyn. “Where we might normally sell 10 weekend passes, we sold 50 this year.”

“There was so much variety and such interaction between the writers and the audience, it made all the effort by our volunteer board worth while.”