Members of a small Cape Breton community came together over the weekend for an event that looked like a scene from a Hallmark Christmas movie.

People filled the front of the Canapa Candle store in Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, on Saturday afternoon for a holiday-themed event where people learned how to pour their own Christmas candles.

“It’s a little dark in Louisbourg, especially at this time (of the year) with the fog, so we celebrate Christmas a little early with a lit candle,” said store owner Farrah Aspinall-Renaud.

What also seemed to fit the “Hallmark storyline” were the ups and downs of a small business trying to succeed in a community that usually closes its doors in the winter.

“It’s a tourist town,” Aspinall-Renaud said. “We have cruise ships here and a lot of tourism with the fortress, but the community has been amazing, especially with a day like today.”

One of the participants, Karen Burke, helps run a hostel a few blocks away, so she has a vested interest in supporting locals.

However, that was only part of the reason she and more than half a dozen friends had come to pour candles.

“We actually gathered at the Inn this afternoon for some pre-holiday cheer – so it was a great segue into our afternoon,” Burke said. “I thought it was a lot of fun. It was great to see our family come to Louisbourg and our friends.”

At a brand new bistro just down the street, staff were handing out free hot chocolate to everyone who participated in the candle casting.

The bistro has only been open since May, and staff say they know its first winter in Louisbourg will require some cohesion, like the collaboration that took place Saturday.

“Any day can be busy, or any day can be like today where you can fire a cannon up and down Main Street,” owner and chef Michael Mollard said of the largely empty streets on the cold November day. likes to be open all year round. I mean, it’s a challenge now, so let’s see what happens when it’s -20 (degrees Celsius) and the wind is blowing down the street.

Back at the candle shop, the amateur artisans quickly became familiar with their craft.

With more than a month until Christmas arrives, it seems that other projects are still planned to immerse members of the community in the festive spirit.

“We actually have another event coming up,” Aspinall-Renaud said. “It’s a night market. So there’s going to be live music in town, we’re going to do a night market here at Canapa Candle, and it’s going to be either closer to the end of the month.”

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