Crowds took to the cobblestone streets and shops of Paris for the 16th annual Jingle Bell Night on Friday, November 15, 2024.
The annual event, organized by the Downtown Paris BIA, gives businesses the opportunity to provide late-night shopping ahead of the holiday season. Many stores offered sales, and several businesses provided free hot chocolate on the sidewalk.
Ran Sui, owner of Thorn and Petal Florist, described Jingle Bell Night as a “very special tradition for downtown Paris and for our community to shop local, to shop from small businesses.”
Instead of offering a sale for the night, Sui said, she wanted to do something that was more about giving back to the community. Customers were encouraged to write a message on gift tags, which will be shared with one of the seniors’ homes in Paris.
Inside Wincey Mills, members of the Brolly Group Real Estate participated in gift wrapping and sold raffle tickets to win a basket of goodies that included locally donated goods and gift cards.
The gift wrapping was complimentary, though donations were encouraged. The donations and raffle proceeds are going toward the Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation, specifically to diagnostic imaging at the Brantford General Hospital.
They chose the imaging department partly because “it’s one of the underfunded places at the BGH,” said Heather Watt, a member of the Brolly Group Real Estate. “It’s not really as sexy as paediatrics or the emergency room… [but] we’re using it all the time.”
The Paris Firefighters were set up in two locations downtown, and collected donations for their toy drive. A group of traditional carollers roamed the streets and provided entertainment with live song.
Members of the BIA handed out strings of bells to people and promoted the launch of their newest downtown Paris coupon book. Dozens of people showed up for the official tree lighting ceremony at Cobblestone Commons. A children’s choir also performed that night in front of the Paris Cenotaph, drawing a large crowd of supporters.
Emery Silva, owner of Bird & Bee Vintage, said Jingle Bell Night gets people into the “Christmas vibes,” each year.
“Some retailers really don’t like to set up for Christmas, especially a small business, before Remembrance Day,” Silva said. The window between Remembrance Day and Jingle Bell Night is short – this time, it was just four days. “It really lit a fire and got us to finish it and kick off the season,” Silva said. We’re tired, but it’s awesome, because now we’re ready for Christmas.”
