Mori Gardens in Niagara-on-the-Lake turned the garden centre into a winter wonderland for a weekend this Nov. 16 to 18, during its first-ever Christmas Palooza event.

The event saw Christmas and winter-themed foods, craft vendors, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a sleigh from Sentineal Carriages.

Tonie Mori, owner of the garden centre, said her and her son Miguel were blown away by the turnout on Friday alone.

“Our first day [was] amazing, and we’re blown away by the attendance,” she said.

Every year the garden centre puts on a winter open house, Mori said, but this year they decided to expand that, and are hoping that the celebration can turn into an annual event.

“We’ve made the palooza into a bunch of local partnerships as well, so Sentineal Carriages got us a sleigh in the back there, we have the rotary here, Sweet and Swirls, Creek Road paints, Yellow Door, and Pumphouse Theatre is coming tomorrow,” said Miguel, who coordinated the event.

He said one goal of the event was to focus on having local vendors with handmade items.

“All of things you see here are custom made in house,” said Miguel.

Those in attendance were able to eat some food, drink some wine, have a hot chocolate, buy a variety of great gifts and get in the holiday spirit.