Three Cheers for Pugwash Festival of Lights

Congratulations Pugwash! You have warmed our hearts again this year, dazzled our senses, and lit up our lives with all your efforts. Thanks to the community, the businesses, homeowners, institutions, and volunteer groups, for making the extra effort.

Special thanks to the Pugwash Volunteer Fire Department for not only lighting up the bridge this year but also the Pugwash Farmers' Market site so that everyone is wowed when entering the village from West Pugwash. 

The beautiful Buoy Tree is back with its visiting Elf from Cumberland Trails, a beacon on Brick Yard Road.

The folks of the Bill Mundle Marina added the delightful Sailboat in Lights to the yacht club wharf. Nice touch!

Communities in Bloom Winterfest volunteers set the stage by decorating the bridge, the old Train Station, the Cenotaph, the HarbourFront stage, the Triangle corner, planters and window boxes. 

Mike Cunningham and the Northumberland Boaters Association made sure the lovely Floating Tree has again been launched to gladden hearts as you enter the village from East Pugwash. 

And last but not least, thanks to the installers of the Mystery Christmas Tree on the Gulf Shore Road next to the 'No Dumping' sign. Poignant and sweet.

Both the Hartling family at 127 Victoria Street and MacDonald family at 1194 Hwy 6 have set the bar high in seasonal decorating. 

The Hartlings know something about using elements on their property to enchant young and old and fill us with joy. They have outdone themselves this year adding a truly stunning antique tractor in all its shiny glory!

For many years the MacDonald family have put up an outstanding display with over 20,000 lights and music, encouraging donations to the Cumberland Toy Bank. A huge amount of work and commitment to community wellness. 

Pugwash Festival of Lights 2021 Winners

It was almost impossible for the judges to pick their favourites again this year. You are all winners. Congratulations to the following:

1. 68 Pugwash Point Rd. — a lovely display by Tom Boran using blue lights on trees and coloured lights throughout the property greets people as they enter Pugwash Point
2. 510 Gulf Shore Rd. — Sherry and Hugh Allan have created this well-coordinated display, a feast for your eyes, featuring a sleigh, reindeer, and a large Christmas tree
3. 9721 Hwy 6 — Mathew Halverson has worked hard and offers up a delightful and immaculately executed shout out to the season
4. 10436 Durham St. — Rose Junket and Charlie Gould have set the scene with jolly snowmen happily greeting people to the village as they turn the corner opposite Irish Town Rd.

Honourable Mention

East Pugwash

• 2756 Crowley Road — for ambitious, expansive, use of many elements including many snowmen
• 2773 Crowley Roa — wonderful colour and many interesting elements
• 366 Wallace Bay Rd — lovely display on the rise overlooking the marsh
• 549 Miller Rd — many Santas and their reindeer
• 2770 Crowley Rd - big beautiful snowflakes 

Pugwash Junction

• 1616 Pugwash Junction Rd and 5568 Thompson Rd — both properties with cheerful light display making it worth the drive

Irishtown Road

• 159 Irishtown Rd. — making a big statement spectacular, a fully lit tree in front of the property 
• 115 Irishtown Rd. — dancing tree

West Pugwash

• 98 Pleasure Cove — lovely illuminated columns 
• 64 Pleasure Cove — dramatic use of the colour blue 
• 37 Pleasure Cove — tasteful decorations and attention to detail including lit wreaths on the garage

Pugwash Village

• 142 Water St — nautical theme leaping into the winter season with strategically placed lights
• 236 Water St. — welcoming use of window boxes and lights
• 30 King St. — fun decorations using the whole property
• 25 King St. — simple but effective use of red and green lights
• 117 Church St. — lots of lights, projected snowflakes
• 33 Prince Albert St. — candy canes, Santa, snowmen, polar bears all get in the act

Pugwash Point

• 191 Pugwash Point Rd. — red and blue lights with a festive sparkling snowman
• 221 Pugwash Point Rd. — wonderful display using white lights
• 31 Pugwash Point Rd. — largest display of coloured lights in the shape of three trees

Gulf Shore

• 2755 Gulf Shore Rd. - featuring a blue lobster with red trim on house and garage with Santa greeting one and all
• 1898 Gulf Shore Rd. — tasteful display of three large white wreaths with multicoloured Christmas trees
• 1324 Gulf Shore Rd. — Santa and his friendly snowmen with a duck family in the yard

Outstanding Institutions  

• Sunset Community and East Cumberland Lodge

Best Barn

• 747 Gulf Shore Rd. — a big green wreath and cows with santa hats, wreaths and red bows, lots of coloured lights decorating both barn and farmhouse.

Most Festive Street

• Black Street, from one end to the other is ablaze with lights that you can no doubt see from the moon! There are at least two former winners on this street

Best Neighbourhood

• Pleasure Cove — lots to see and marvel at, tasteful displays to inspire, with a happy snowman greeting visitors to the area

Take a drive and enjoy the outstanding displays. Between 6:30 and 9 pm is ideal.

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