Angelica Haggert
Whatever holiday you celebrate
in the winter season, it’s
impossible to think of
wintertime in Windsor-Essex
without thinking about the
light
displays
dotted
throughout the region.
The history of holiday
lights is closely tied to that of
the holiday tree. In the Middle
Ages,
Germans
and
Scandinavians
brought
evergreen trees into their
homes to celebrate the coming
of spring. The tradition slowly
caught on, and In 1851, the first
documented tree lot was
opened in New York. In 1856, a
candle-lit tree went up for the
first time in The White House.
In 1880, Thomas Edison
decorated a tree with lights and
lit them by remote generator
from eight miles away. By 1900,
retail establishments were stringing up lights in their display windows
to attract customers. Now, more than a thousand years later, we find
ourselves lucky enough to have brightly lit holiday displays to visit
throughout the winter.
This year, Kingsville celebrates their 25th anniversary of the
Fantasy of Lights. Starting as early as mid-November and running
through to mid-January, the lights display kicks off with fireworks
and a “flick the switch” ceremony to turn everything on.
The lights are on display at Lakeside Park. Until December 23,
the Kingsville Fantasy Express Train runs through the display, ending
the trip at the Christmas Gingerbread Gazebo.
The Kingsville program also features a “Book Tree” at the
Kingsville Arena. Residents are encouraged to donate books to help
improve literacy in the town.
The River Lights Winter
Festival in Amherstburg is
constantly growing. Now spanning
two parks - Toddy Jones and Navy
Yard - Amherstburg suggests a
toonie donation when you stop by
to allow them to continue funding
the displays. The Festival is a
not-for-profit organization.
At Toddy Jones Park, you can
also get warm in the Gingerbread
Warming House. Designed and
constructed in 2009, the Warming
House uses decorated wall panels
to close in the pre-existing picnic
shelter. Students from St. Thomas
of Villanova school manage the
decorations each year.
The lights in Amherstburg are
on display until December 23.
Getting in on the holiday cheer,
Windsor will also feature a holiday
lights display. Entitled “Bright
Lights,” Jackson Park is lit up until
January 7. The event features anilluminated tree in the Queen
Elizabeth II Sunken Gardens and thousands of lights and iconic
holiday characters, along with special light shows on Thursdays,
Fridays and Saturdays. Horse-drawn carriage rides and performances
will also take place on weekend evenings.
Rooted in controversy with debates of unnecessary expenses, the
Bright Lights display will be ready on December 8. Santa Claus will
help kick off the display at the opening ceremonies. Jackie Robitaille,
Daniel Sawyer-Beaulieu, the Windsor Classic Chorale, Amelia Daigle
and Nuvo Entertainment are some of the performances that will take
place throughout the month.
This season, create memories that will last a lifetime with lights
that shine as brightly as the stars above - share your pictures with
using #HolidayLightsYQG!
Check out all the holiday
lights in Windsor-Essex
Amherstburg River Lights
Festival
Kingsville Fantasy of Lights
Bright Lights Windsor
Where are you exploring this fall? Tell us about it!
Use the tag #ExploringMatters on Facebook and Twitter to let us know!
8 The HUB -December 2017/January 2018