Christmas is coming, and a Collingwood performance will kick off festivities early next month.
The First Christmas Story is a cantata concert which will take place at First Presbyterian Church in Collingwood from Dec. 11 to 13.
“It’s kind of a return to normal after COVID,” said interim director Deb Fitzsimmons. “It’s our return to the old standard.”
“It’s the old way but it feels new to us after a couple of years,” she said.
When the show was first imagined in the 1980s at First Presbyterian Church, it was called The Singing Christmas Tree and included a choir standing in a giant wooden Christmas tree for the performance.
Over the years, due to safety concerns, the concert became more pared down into the performance it is today which includes a choir with dance, a Nativity and a band.
For the past two years, the annual concert has been mostly virtual due to COVID-19 concerns, so Fitzsimmons says this year will mark a return to an in-person show. The hour-and-a-half show includes the choir singing Christmas songs, carols and solos.
“For a lot of people, this is a sign for them that Christmas is coming,” said Fitzsimmons.
This year will also mark Fitzsimmons’ first year as director. She had served as part of the choir and performed a variety of roles over the past 22 years.
“This is another hat I’ve had the chance to wear,” she said.
Performances will take place Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m.
Tickets are free and are available through the church or through a choir member. Good-will offerings are encouraged, which will go toward church programming. For more information or to get tickets, contact the church office at 705-445-4651.
