Jarvis celebrates distinction as Canada’s Kindest Community
Rain failed to dampen the spirits of about 1,000 people who gathered in Jarvis on Saturday night for the arrival of the Coca Cola Holiday Caravan.
In January of 2025 the town of Jarvis was named Canada’s Kindest Community in the inaugural year of Coca Cola’s program that recognizes, celebrates and rewards a community that excels in making life a little brighter for those living in it, according to Laura Cutsey, vice-president of marketing and partnerships at Coca-Cola Canada.
“The community won hearts last year with their stories of a small volunteer effort that grew into their beloved Light Up celebration, uniting neighbours with lights, laughter, and shared pride,” she said. “Last year, we received over 2,300 inspiring nominations from nearly 600 communities across the country. The response was overwhelming and showed just how much kindness exists in communities of all sizes.”
At the Saturday evening event, plans were unveiled for a new, accessible multi-use building and splash pad, the first of its kind in the community.
Lisa Nigh, co-organizer of the Jarvis Light Up team along with her husband Howie, and Ernie and Cathy Bigelow, said their efforts have snowballed into a big project that the community had been thinking about for many years.
She said a multi-purpose, multi-generational building will be built where the lawn bowling hall currently stands.
“We are tearing it down and putting up something new that will house the Jarvis Athletic Association booth, and they’ll be able to cook in there,” Nigh explained. “Within that building we hope to have a farmer’s market eventually, but the big thing is the accessible splash pad, with washrooms and change rooms.”
Nigh said fundraising will commence once Haldimand County approves the project in the new year.
The Jarvis Lions and Jarvis Light Up are not set up as charitable organizations, so the Norfolk Community Foundation helped establish the Jarvis Community Fund. Each year interest from the $50,000 Coca Cola prize that was deposited into the fund will be redistributed to capital projects in the town, said NCF executive director Josh Parsons.
“Jarvis is the perfect example of community-oriented kindness,” he said. “To me, it’s the epitome of a small town where everyone has got each other’s backs, and through that community spirit they’ve been able to generate an incredible festival that draws people from the entire region of southern Ontario.
“For a town of 1,100 people, you don’t see stuff like that very often, and I think Coca Cola was able to recognize that.”
Among the many holiday season events in the town, December 13 is the Jarvis Light Up Evolution fireworks and midway event that starts at 2 p.m., featuring bands, choirs, a dance with DJ, a giveaway of turkeys, and the Coca Cola Holiday Caravan is returning with Santa Claus that day.
“When you come to Jarvis Light Up, everything is free. We are thankful we have sponsors that we’re able to do those sorts of things,” Nigh shared. “We give away toys and experiences; the midway is free. It’s a high energy, high vibe (event) for every demographic.
“We really forge the feeling of community, and a feeling of belonging.”
To see events in Jarvis over the holiday season visit the Jarvis Light Up 2025 website or Facebook page.
By Brian Thompson, Simcoe Reformer
