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Niagara Falls
Saturday, December 13, 2025
PHOTOS: Christmas Tractor Parade lights up downtown Virgil
The sun sets over Centennial Arena as participants set up for the parade, kicking off at 6 p.m.
The sun sets over Centennial Arena as participants set up for the parade, kicking off at 6 p.m.
As the sky darkens and 6 p.m. draws near, volunteers go around the arena's parking lot, making sure everything's ready for the parade to start.
As the sky darkens and 6 p.m. draws near, volunteers go around the arena's parking lot, making sure everything's ready for the parade to start.
The annual Tractor Parade has become a highly popular celebration, with many in town (and some from other places like Jordan, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls) taking part — including the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, with their front loader parade float.
The annual Tractor Parade has become a highly popular celebration, with many in town (and some from other places like Jordan, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls) taking part — including the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, with their front loader parade float.
Coun. Erwin Wiens, co-organizer of the parade, gives some last-minute instructions to the volunteers to make sure things go off without a hitch.
Coun. Erwin Wiens, co-organizer of the parade, gives some last-minute instructions to the volunteers to make sure things go off without a hitch.
These Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire & Emergency Services volunteers give a smile and a wave from inside of their truck as the parade readies to go.
These Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire & Emergency Services volunteers give a smile and a wave from inside of their truck as the parade readies to go.
And they're off: tractors and trucks line up to exit the arena and set off onto Four Mile Creek Road.
And they're off: tractors and trucks line up to exit the arena and set off onto Four Mile Creek Road.
On the sidelines, Erwin Wiens and Joe Pillitteri provide some colour commentary for the folks watching at home.
On the sidelines, Erwin Wiens and Joe Pillitteri provide some colour commentary for the folks watching at home.
The tractors and trucks, including this bright red big rig, make their way through downtown Virgil, where people have gathered to watch.
The tractors and trucks, including this bright red big rig, make their way through downtown Virgil, where people have gathered to watch.
Parade participants spend weeks getting their trucks together and ready for the big procession.
Parade participants spend weeks getting their trucks together and ready for the big procession.
They might be busy preparing for the holidays, but luckily, Santa and Mrs. Claus had some time to swing by Virgil and take part in the parade.
They might be busy preparing for the holidays, but luckily, Santa and Mrs. Claus had some time to swing by Virgil and take part in the parade.
Another one of Virgil's participants in the parade, Mr. Anti-Christmas himself, the Grinch, driving his tractor-sled.
Another one of Virgil's participants in the parade, Mr. Anti-Christmas himself, the Grinch, driving his tractor-sled.
Three-year-old Lake Ackland is bundled up nice and warm to watch the parade.
Three-year-old Lake Ackland is bundled up nice and warm to watch the parade.
Four-year-old Beau Fisher is all starry-eyed at the sight of the illuminated tractors.
Four-year-old Beau Fisher is all starry-eyed at the sight of the illuminated tractors.
This tractor wishes a Happy Chanukkah to all who celebrate, starting Sunday, Dec. 14 going to Monday, Dec. 22.
This tractor wishes a Happy Chanukkah to all who celebrate, starting Sunday, Dec. 14 going to Monday, Dec. 22.
If you're not Generation Alpha, this one might make you scratch your head: this tractor appears to reference the popular "6-7" meme that took off this year on social media.
If you're not Generation Alpha, this one might make you scratch your head: this tractor appears to reference the popular "6-7" meme that took off this year on social media.
For those who came out to the parade, Seeger Vineyards offers a simple message of holiday cheer.
For those who came out to the parade, Seeger Vineyards offers a simple message of holiday cheer.
With the parade over, back at Centennial Arena, town crier Tom Pekar offers up his gratitude to everyone who had a hand in making this year's parade another success story.
With the parade over, back at Centennial Arena, town crier Tom Pekar offers up his gratitude to everyone who had a hand in making this year's parade another success story.

There was Christmas cheer to spare in Virgil on Thursday night as dozens of illuminated trucks and tractors made their way through the streets in the fifth annual Christmas Tractor Parade.

Started in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the tractor parade has become a yearly tradition for Niagara-on-the-Lake’s agricultural community.

Trucks and tractors, elaborately decorated in Christmas lights and other decor, left from Centennial Arena at 6 p.m. and made their way down Four Mile Creek Road, up to Pleasant Manor, then made their way around the area, watched on by spectators lined up along the roads and concessions.

Coun. Erwin Wiens, who co-organizes the parade with Dorothy Soo-Wiens, provided livestreamed commentary alongside Joe Pillitteri.

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