The other half of Saugeen Shores celebrates marks the beginning of the holiday season tonight.
The Southampton Sparkles event is put on annually by the Chamber of Commerce.
Port Elgin kicked off the season last week with Shopper’s Night, tonight, it’s Southampton’s time to shine.
Community Relations Coordinator Sally Hunt says the tree lighting ceremony takes place at 6:30 PM with carolers and a message from the town.
Hunt says the shopping season is then officially in high gear following that; most shops are open until 10 PM and many offer special one night deals.
She says the passport promotion continues and allows residents to win prizes just for shopping in their home town.
This year, Hunt says anyone “caught” shopping with a Saugeen Shores Green Bag will get a double stamp on their passport.
More than four thousand dollars in prizes is available through both chamber dollars and merchant gift certificates.
The promotion wraps up December 17th.