THUNDER BAY — The aroma of hot chocolate and fresh apple cider filled the streets of Thunder Bay for Westfort Wonderland on Thursday.
This celebration of community and the holidays took over the streets from the intersection of Frederica street and Brown street to the other side of Westfort Foods.
It ran from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 5.
Brittany Smith, the Sal’s front-of-house manager, was a vendor who participated in the fair. She said they have been doing Westfort Wonderland for a few years now and it’s been quite a big hit.
“I think most of the vendors may just be like us. We’re just serving cider for free, but there are people who are selling food or nice Christmas gifts and things like that. Everything is mostly handmade around here. So it’s always nice to support local,” said Smith.
This year, she said she believes they had close to 50 or more vendors at the fair.
“When it comes to Thunder Bay itself, Westfort has always been an icon... a staple more here in Thunder Bay and it’s always nice to give back to the community,” said Smith.
“So anytime people in Westfort can get together and have a good time, it always makes a nice difference. We always have the street fair. So it’s nice to have the winter side of the street fair and it becomes a good hit. We have beautiful weather today and we can’t go wrong.”
There are also a bunch of different events and things that happen at the fair, she added, including the traditional lighting of a tree around 5:30 p.m. for people to come and enjoy.
“We’ve always had a great time, always been a great turnout. As I was saying, this is the second year for the tree lighting, which is always a big hit. We have a giant tree beside Lewk Clothing that has opened up the last few years here and it’s always just nice to support local,” said Smith.
For kids, Smith explained there are also always events happening around the fair and characters to come to enjoy the night with.
“We like to have a few different characters. We will have Buddy the Elf, we’ll have the Grinch and then Elsa. Santa will be here. As per tradition, we always have sleigh rides that happen. The Sal itself will be serving some cider. A lot of different vendors will be here. It’s a great time,” said Smith.
Smith encourages those in Thunder Bay to come down and enjoy their Christmas festivities.
“Merry Christmas. We actually have snow this year. So come on down and get a little Westfort spirit,” said Smith.
