Centuries-old tradition will take place in Mississauga’s downtown core

Skating on the city’s biggest outdoor rink, other family activities and a chance to meet Mississauga’s new mayor are all on tap for an upcoming party the roots of which date back several hundred years.

The public is invited to attend the annual Mayor’s New Year’s Levee, the latest edition to take place on Sunday, Jan. 5 in Mississauga’s downtown core. Events will take place both at city hall and the Celebration Square rink just outside the doors.

“Get ready for an afternoon of excitement, family activities and wintery fun,” City of Mississauga officials said in a news release detailing the event.

Festivities kick off at 1 p.m. with a ceremony, followed by a meet-and-greet led by Mayor Carolyn Parrish and members of city council.

Parrish emerged from a largest-ever field of 20 candidates to win Mississauga’s mayoral byelection back in June. She succeeded Bonnie Crombie, who left the mayor’s seat last January to take leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party.

The meet-and-greet event featuring the mayor and councillors runs from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Great Hall on the ground floor of city hall, following opening ceremony and remarks.

Skating, treats, family activities and a DJ skate party featuring Raptors 905’s DJ Andre will take place throughout the event, from 1 to 4 p.m., organizers say. Free skate rentals will be available throughout the afternoon.

In addition, free underground parking will also be available to visitors.

Those who attend the meet-and-greet will have a photo taken of them with each guest on hand. They’ll then be given free downloads of the photos after the event.

Admission to the all-ages event is free.

Mississauga officials say the Mayor’s Levee tradition is centuries old, dating back to the 17th century reign of King Louis XIV in France.

“To show the monarch belonged to the people, the King would invite gentlemen to his bedroom on New Year’s Day to watch him wake up and begin serving the public,” officials said. “The Royal Governor of New France later brought this custom to Canada, where it continues to be a new year’s tradition.”