The River Lights Winter Festival has started for 2024 with hundreds coming out on the weekend for the municipal tree lighting ceremony.
The tree lighting ceremony took place immediately after the Super Santa Run with the public there for the tree lighting and to view the River Lights displays joining those in Santa suits that were there for the run. After the tree in the Navy Yard Park parkette was lit, the crowd moved down by the water to view the fireworks. An outdoor movie followed the fireworks.
Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb brought greetings on behalf of the town.
“Thank you for choosing to kick off the holiday season in Amherstburg,” he said.
Gibb pointed out the roots of the River Lights Winter Festival date back 18 years when a group of volunteers got together on a project to give people something to do in the winter months in downtown Amherstburg.
The event is now a six-week festival overseen by the town with illuminated displays mainly in Navy Yard Park and Toddy Jones Park, with Gibb stating it makes a great waterfront even better.
The town’s parks and facilities department were thanked by Gibb as well.
“None of this would happen without the boots on the ground who put everything up,” he stated.
There are over 50 volunteers helping to present River Lights this year, he said.
“Amherstburg has to have the best group of volunteers in Windsor-Essex County,” said Gibb.
The deputy mayor thanked the sponsors, including Seasons Amherstburg, Pathway to Potential, Tim Horton’s and the Essex Region Conservation Authority, the latter presenting the Super Santa Walk, Run and Wheel.
Gibb made special mention of Enbridge, the company that sponsored the winter festival for the eleventh straight year. This year’s contribution was $22,000.
Ian Robertson, supervisor of solar operations, brought greetings from the company. He pointed out he brought his family from Sarnia for the event.
Robertson said Enbridge enjoys the sense of community the River Lights Winter Festival brings.
“When I look around, I see the true definition of community,” said Robertson.
“River Lights, to me, looks like a Hallmark moment. When I look around, I see a Hallmark event.”
The River Lights Winter Festival runs for six weeks and the Pathway to Potential Gingerbread Warming House in Toddy Jones Park is part of the festival. The warming house is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 22. The Santa Shoutout is planned for Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
More information on River Lights, including the full schedule, can be found at www.visitamherstburg.ca. The Santa Claus Parade, presented by the Windsor Parade Corporation, is this Saturday (Nov. 23) at 6 p.m.
By Ron Giofu
Fireworks part of River Lights opening
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