11th Annual Christmas Light Display

Jeff Green | Dec 04, 2024

The folks at Riverhill Farm are never satisfied. Every year they make changes, and add something new to the Christmas Light Display that brings joy to visitors from near and far who make the trek their location on Struthadam Road, off the River Road, in North Frontenac.

They started inviting people to visit their farm to see the light display that they had painstakingly put up, back in 2014. They kept adding to the display, and in their fifth year, the number of twinking lights in the trees around the farm hit the 100,000 mark.

6 years later, and not only has the display reached the 200,000 light threshold, they are also introducing their first digitally controlled 16’ RGB tree as part of the display.

We have always programmed the lights in way, to flash in time with music that we pipe in, but the options that come with this new system on one tree will give us more to work with this year, and in the future when we have a chance to explore the potential of the new system,’ said Stephanie Lemke of Riverhill.

The farm is lit up for vehicles to meander through the display every night between the opening, which was on November 30 this year, and December 30th.

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 5pm -8pm, throughout the month of December, wagon rides are available as well, and the canteen is open, offering fresh, hut mini donuts, hot chocolate, home-made fudge, candy apples and cotton candy. And, the Christmas shop is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 5pm -8pm as well.

And as of last year, a fireworks display on the first Saturday in December added a whole new element to the season of lights.

This year, there are two chances to see the fireworks, the first being this Saturday (December 7) and the second being next Saturday (December 14). Those who want to attend are asked to bring lawn chairs and wear warm clothing when they come to the viewing area on those dates.

To handle all of the extra traffic, throughout the month and particularly when the fireworks are on, Gemmel Sand and Gravel came in and expanded the parking area, so there should be more ease in accessing the site on fireworks nights.

“We could not do all this without help from our sponsors, who provide funding and labour to help us keep growing the display and our event every year,” said Lemke.

Tose sponsors include Greg Ducharme from Riverhill Farm and Fine Food, Gemmill Sand and Gravel, Watkins Tree Service, B&T MacFarlane, Hartington Equiipment, Brandon’s Lawn Care, Clar-Mil community volunteers, Dicola Petroleum, Tim’s Autobody, Oakes Truck Centre, Frontenac News, Schonauer Maintenance, B. Stewart Welding, KS Carpentry, Ross Ranch, and Home Hardware.

Everyone is welcome to visit the display throughout the month or on special event nights. Admission is by donation