PICTOU
The spirit of Christmas was flowing from Sobeys in Pictou Monday through the music of bagpipes and community voices.
The Pictou store was one of many taking part in an in-store contest for the Star of Christmas. All Sobeys stores can make a video that will be posted online for voting between Nov. 30 and Dec. 13. The store in Nova Scotia with the most votes will win $5,000 for a community organization of its choice.
Sobeys staff in Pictou decided to include the Heatherbells Pipe and Drum Band as well as the Pictou Fire Department, local musician Albert Dunnewold and members of the community in its video.
Louise Nichol, a spokeswoman for the Heatherbells, said it was great exposure for the band to be involved in such a music video with only a few challenges along the way.
“It’s not easy to put that music to pipes and drums,” she said, adding that the band’s piping instructor believed anything was possible and the music came alive.
Sobeys Aberdeen Mall location was filming its video Tuesday and Sobeys Stellarton has submitted it own entry.
Sobeys first launched its Star of Christmas commercial in late 1980s and it was showcased every Christmas season until the early 1990s. It was named the best Canadian holiday commercial numerous times.
In 2016, it composed a newer version of the song that included a video shoot at its Moncton location featuring employees, members of the community and a school choir.
Star of Christmas
Days of Christmas, Now are here
Everyone is full of cheer,
It’s the very best time of the year
Happy times of food and fun
Season’s greeting everyone
Now the holidays are here
Star of Christmas, Shine within Us
Make each day mean as much
Bells are ringing, Children singing
That warm Foodland Festive Touch
