Christmas tree bonfire marks end to holiday season

Christmas tree bonfire marks end of holiday season The annual Christmas tree bonfire in Alliston offers one way to be rid of your holiday tree.

The annual Twelfth Night Bonfire celebration in Alliston has been a holiday tradition for many people for years, with roughly 150 Christmas trees donated and set ablaze, marking an end to the season.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the event put on by the Rotary Club with the help of the local fire department.

“Years ago, one of the Rotary Club members decided they wanted a bit of a celebration in January, bring families together, so they used a European tradition of burning the green as the basis, and we just grab the Christmas trees and have a big bonfire, some food, and get together just to have some fun,” said Dave Green with Alliston’s Rotary Club.

And if the tree burn isn’t your thing, there are several animal sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres across the region that will take your trees for the animals.

For Barrie residents, Christmas tree curbside collection starts Monday. Trees should be placed at the curb on collection day, be no more than six feet in length or cut in half, and free of any decorations, plastic and tinsel so they can be composted.

“So, they are brought back to the landfill and brought up onto our leaf and yard waste composting pad,” explained Chris Marchant with the city. “The material is put through various phases and ultimately becomes compost that we sell and provide to our residents.”

The Alliston bonfire is set for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Riverdale Park. The event is free to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend.