(Posted 5:30 p.m., Nov. 21)
Magical Village returns to Place d'Orléans after one year absence
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Eight-year-old Graham Clermont points out one of the 300 or so buildings in the Magical Village display at Place d'Orléans to his six-year-old sister Evelyne. Fred Sherwin/Photo

After a one year hiatus, the Gloucester Lions "Magical Village" has returned to Place d'Orléans to enchant all who enter while raising money for several local charities.

The collection of nearly 300 miniature buildings, over 1,000 miniature lights and countless additional pieces, had to take a sabbatical last year when there was no space available to set up the wondrous display.

This year the Village has been given a temporary home at the far end of the food court near the RCMP recruitment centre where it's attracting casual shoppers and those who make a tradition of visiting the display every year like Angela Clermont who has been bringing her eight-year-old son Graham to the Magical Village ever since he was in a stroller.

"It's become a real tradition. We always come before we go see Santa," said Clermont, who started bringing her six-year-old daughter Evelyne along after she was born. "Traditions are very important and one day they'll be able to look back on this with fond memories."

The history of the Magical Village goes back to 1997, when it was first set up at the Gloucester Centre by former Gloucester Mayor Claudette Cain who wanted to establish a pet project to help raise money for the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard.

After amalgamation in 2000, responsibility for the Magical Village was left in the hands of the Food Cupboard itself.

Overburdened by the demands of the season, the Food Cupboard eventually decided to turn over the collection of more than 300 miniature buildings and 100 plus figurines to the Gloucester North Lions Club which has looked after it ever since.

Over the years they have managed to raise more than $100,000 for local charities with the major benefactor being the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard. This year the three charities are the Emergency Food Cupboard, the Canadian Dog Guide Program and the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ottawa.

It takes nearly three weeks to set up the display, including the 50 plus metres of model railway track, and just two days to take it apart and pack it back in storage containers.

Among the many pieces in the display are the Nutcracker Theatre with a curtain that opens up to reveal the revolving ballet dancers inside; a McDonald's Restaurant complete with a drive-thru and an order taker; a fire station with doors that open up to allow the fire truck to drive out; a flying Santa; and a drive-thru car wash.

The Magical Village is manned by volunteers from the various area Lions Clubs as well as students from St. Peter High School and St. Matthew High School.

The display is open during regular mall hours until Boxing Day when it will be packed away for another year.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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