Coldwater Communique

—by  Lois Rooney-Giurin

Hello from Coldwater!

After a wonderful summer celebrating Fairies and Steampunk among other things, we’re full steam ahead into fall! At the time of writing, the Coldwater Fair is being set up – and it will certainly, as always, be a huge success. It’s sad to see the Fairy Garden hibernating for the winter. Thank you again for a magical summer experience, Sylvia!

Octobers in Coldwater are always exciting.

The spooky begins with The Haunted Mill – whispers of the past grow louder on October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31 as our beloved Mill becomes a maze of ghosts, thrills, and chills! This event is presented by The Scream Shack from 6 to 9 p.m. with a $10 ticket purchased in the Artisan Boutique. Last ticket will be sold as of 8:30 p.m.

Also at the Mill, from October 16 to 31, The Marble Orchard returns. It’s a cemetery with headless Brides, tombstones, witches, bats and more! Open until 9 p.m.., it’s free and family – friendly.

Singo Bingo at the Legion has wrapped up and now we’re into the season of Tuesday Trivia. If you haven’t been to this, and you enjoy trivia, it’s a lot of fun. More details on the Legion Calendar at www.coldwaterlegion.com/calendar-of-events. There are lots of afternoon concerts and other events coming up too.

Sunday, November 8, 2026,from 6 to 9 p.m., the Legion is hosting “Empty Bowls” a community fundraiser in support of the Coldwater Foodbank, part of the international Empty Bowls movement to fight hunger. Each $45 ticket includes a soup dinner, live music, a silent auction, and door prizes. Organizers would appreciate donations – contact the legion to find out how you can help. Volunteers are also needed. Information is available from Whitney at BIT Studio or Back in Time.

Please keep in mind the Veterans Banner Display on Coldwater Road, leading up to Remembrance Day on November 11 at 11 a.m. In honour of the Legion’s anniversary, there will be a blanket of hand-made poppies. Take the time to see the work of many hands come together in remembrance.

On November 21, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary Christmas Dinner will be held.  Keep checking the website for information and added events.

October 16 is the event many wait a whole year for: the Coldwater Witches Walk from 4 to 9 p.m. Grab your hat and broom and join us on Main Street! For updates, follow the Coldwater Village BIA on Facebook: facebook.com/people/Coldwater-Village-BIA/100064618424996/

Entertainment for the Witches Walk is by the Bombshell Band, and there will be stilt walkers, fire performers and a freak show, as well as a large number of vendors.

It’s worth noting that this event is planned for women over 18 (19 in the bars) and is really not suitable for children (men are optional).

Don’t worry though, kids – Trick ‘n Treat Main Street returns the next day, on October 17, with activities for families and children. And, of course, tons of candy! Get your costume out – it’s fun to see adults dressed for the occasion as well. The event runs from 12 noon to 2 p.m. It is, of course, very family friendly!

The Christmas season officially kicks off on Saturday, November 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Annual Tree Lighting in Downtown Coldwater.

The Coldwater Mill hosts the Annual Children’s Christmas Market featuring handmade items by children and youth creators and entrepreneurs. It’s an old-fashioned Christmas Market, with beautiful one-of-a-kind gifts.

Also on November 21, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary Christmas Dinner will be held.  Keep checking the Legion website for information and added events.

The next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, November 28-29, 2026, The Coldwater Mill hosts its annual old-fashioned Christmas Market, filled with beautiful, one-of-a-kind handmade gifts. Shop at the participating downtown shops during their Christmas hours and make a weekend of it in the village.

No Christmas season is truly begun until the Christmas Coldwater Lions Club Santa Claus Parade! This year, it will be on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

The parade route begins on Gray Street, down Coldwater Road and ends at the Shell Station. Santa’s float turns onto Mill Street where Santa will exit.  Santa and Mrs. Claus will be greeting children and handing out candy upstairs at the Coldwater Heritage Mill immediately after the parade.  Don’t miss your chance to see Santa and get a photo taken too!

The Severn Township Library had a most successful Summer Reading Program with 48 youngsters recording a total of more than 55,000 15-minute segments of reading. That’s a lot of reading and our intrepid book explorers did us all proud.

A few upcoming events at the Library include acclaimed Indigenous author Waubgeshig Rice on October 10. Rice who wrote “Moon of the Crusted Snow”, and “Moon of the Turning Leaves”. He will be at the Library on October 10 at 1 p.m., and you are welcome to bring your book for him to sign. There will be books available for purchase as well. This event is free, and all are welcome.

Waubgeshig Rice is a journalist and author of Anishnaabe and Canadian ancestry and grew up in his father’s community of Wasauksing First Nation, an island community on Georgian Bay near Parry Sound growing up in a time when indigenous cultures were beginning to reconnect with their traditional culture and stories, and these are the experiences that largely influence his storytelling.