Local Holiday YouTube Channel Launched
THUNDER BAY, ON — Just in time for the holiday season, Thunder Bay resident Garret LeBlanc has launched a YouTube channel that’s all smoke and mirrors—literally. LeBlanc’s new channel, titled “Festive Mill Fog,” features a non-stop stream of the iconic smoke plume rising from the Thunder Bay paper mill, hoping to fill the void for locals who miss the beloved holiday fireplace log channel but have since ditched cable.
“Nothing says Christmas like that rich, familiar haze of pulp emissions wafting over the town,” LeBlanc said proudly, standing just outside the mill’s perimeter fence in a high-vis jacket for warmth. “I thought, people put the fireplace channel on for ambience, so why not give the cheerful people of Thunder Bay something more exciting? It’s something they can put on at their holiday gatherings to reminisce about Thunder Bay.”
According to LeBlanc, the idea came to him after a wave of nostalgia hit last year while stuck in a Toronto traffic jam. “I realized I missed the smell. That thick, unfiltered paper-mill fragrance. It’s like being wrapped in a warm, smokey Thunder Bay hug,” he said. “With ‘Festive Mill Fog,’ anyone can fire it up and bask in that dense fog of toxins, just like old times. Plus, I’m monetizing it, so every view helps me pay for Christmas gifts this year.”
Since launching the channel, LeBlanc says viewership has surged. One devoted fan, Helen Makonen, who recently moved to Calgary, says it’s the perfect way to stay connected to her Thunder Bay roots. “I have the channel on nonstop,” she said. “The sheer sight of all that smoke shooting out of the paper mill makes me feel like I’m home again. My husband doesn’t get it—he thinks it’s revolting—but for me, it’s the best thing right now for my mental health.”
The surprising buzz around “Festive Mill Fog” hasn’t escaped the attention of paper mill General Manager Scott Travers calling it a potential recruitment tool. “We’ve got an aging workforce,” Travers said, gesturing proudly toward the towering chimney stack. “Kids today might not be attracted to the trades, but if they’re tuning in to catch a glimpse of what we have to offer, that’s the first step to getting them interested in the paper-making business. LeBlanc’s channel is giving the young folks a vivid visual of what it’s like to work here. So who’s to say they won’t apply for a job and make this view their reality?”
For LeBlanc, the success of “Festive Mill Fog” is both a win for Thunder Bay pride and for holiday ambiance everywhere. “People can put on a crackling fire if they want, but for me? It’s the billowing smoke stack every time,” he said. “It’s just magical.”