Turning the Distillery District into the Toronto Christmas Market

Every event requires planning, in most cases the more the better. The Toronto Christmas Market in the Historic Distillery District, then, is no exception; workers began prepping the area nearly a month ago to ensure the Distillery (which can look sombre against the colourless November skies) was in a state of continuous improvement and all set for the Dec. 2 opening of the 2nd annual Toronto Christmas Market.

The first sign of Christmas in the Distillery came when Trees Ontario donated a 45 ft. Christmas tree, erected right in the middle of the cobblestone courtyard. The tree is something to see, with sashes of mint green complementing shiny red decorations and over 12,000 reed switch component Christmas lights and at its peak is a shining Christmas star.

Gorgeous Christmas tree? Check. Next on the list was the installation of the antique clock. Believe it or not, this clock has been knocked over on more than one occasion by trucks delivering goods to the Distillery, so this was more like a re-installation. This time, the 15-foot clock tower was installed amidst a barricade of four metal poles to ensure that this antique clock is in the Distillery to stay. Good thing, too; the clock is beautiful, and adds a special ambiance to the area, and the Christmas Market in particular.

Stunning antique clock? Almost. As every good Toronto mortgage broker should know, the land beneath the Distillery’s cobblestones is wet and, elevation-wise, not any higher than Lake Ontario. The suction truck actually had to remove enough moisture from the ground before workers could pour cement and secure a foundation for a timekeeper that should stand the tests of time. Stunning antique clock? Check.

Next, a sound system was installed all around the Distillery to ensure that shoppers everywhere could hear the musical performances, carollers and well-wishers amplified from the central stage in the courtyard.

Lowe’s, the sponsor of the Market, donated more than fifty 1-room wooden huts, scattered throughout the Distillery. Each hut was transformed into a little outdoor shop, selling the likes of: fudge, schnitzel, pretzels, retro movie gifts, Dutch sweets, sports team scarves, apple cider made with organic ingredients and much, much more! The Distillery really did take on a ‘Santa’s workshop’ feel that day as forklifts whizzed around the village carrying miniature houses with them.

The final days of November saw the finishing touches added to the Christmas Market. ‘Elves’ in safety jackets were seen constructing a hedge maze that leads straight to Santa’s house! ‘Biergartens’ signs started popping up (yes, the entire neighbourhood is licensed for this holiday occasion) and there’s enough mulled wine, hot chocolate, candy canes, sugar pies and plums on offer to skyrocket the business of many a Toronto dentist.

Nn its second year, the Toronto Christmas Market has more street vendors, buskers and costumed performers, and a star-studded entertainment lineup. The Toronto Christmas Market is a European market style attraction that is, as well, its own uniquely Canadian festival. Don’t miss this year’s Toronto Christmas Market in the Historic Distillery District!

Phone System Installer and Toronto Dentist Make Lenzr Photo Contests

Friends of Deb Lewis and City Events, and casual surfers who may happen across this blog update will know its time for an update at the end of January, 2010 from Lenzr.  Let’s pause to remember that Lenzr is a serial photo contest website wherein the members rank user submitted content and choose the best photo. The member that uploads the highest ranked photo wins the prize.

Isabelle Seguin, who is otherwise known as Lenzr member Seguini was the photographer that submited the winning image in Medicinal Plants in Nature photo contest sponsored by an Ontario natural medicine clinic she is seen here holding a basket with eight different Neal’s Yard Remedies including Rosewater Toner, Yarrow & Comfrey Moisturizer, Orange Flower Facial Oil and Orange Flower Facial Wash, White Tea Eye Gel, Geranium & Orange Body Butter. The prize has a retail value of $330.00 all of these products are available for purchase in the sponsor’s online natural medicine store. You can read more about the winners and the results of all three contests and the January 1st 2010 Lenzr photo contest winners on the Lenzr blog.

Office Phone System Engineer Creates a Lenzr Quest for Everyday Tangled Webs – Ends March 1st

The excitement is building as the Top Ten photos are constantly moving up and down in this category. The eighth photo contest Everyday Tangled Web is designed to collect and display images of the tangles that we create and use everyday. This challenge has become a heated competition with several excellent photos competing for top position in the index. There are wires and telephone lines and speaker cables and computer cords all mixed up under desks, and AC electrical cords spider web octopuses at outlets. This contest theme and the mayhem that has resulted from the idea was the brainchild of an office phone system guru living and working in Toronto.  That company conceived of the idea and has donated the wonderful prize, a wireless headset.

If the winner is local, that person who is super skilled with a comera will be invited to stop by the office at Bloor and Sherbourne for a chat and custom fitting for the NiteWhite whitening trays. If the winner is from out of province then admin will ship the prize PLUS extra tooth floss and toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash. WIN dental supplies for an entire year.