Amherstburg hosts sixth annual Christmas riverfront lights display

By Samuel McEachern

Volunteers are putting on the annual River Lights Winter Festival at the Amherstburg riverfront. The event, which runs from Nov. 16 to Jan. 1, features over 130 light displays, as well as a gingerbread craft house for kids.

The festival had a successful start with over 5000 attending the opening ceremonies, which consisted of fireworks, carriage rides and Christmas light displays. Since then, it has proven to be consistently busy with the lights being turned on at 5:30p.m. and running until 9:30 p.m. It is free of charge to enjoy the lights and winter scenery.

Volunteer Karen Gyorgy, said the popularity is due to a well organized, free event that families enjoy year after year.

“I believe its so successful because we have gone back to doing a family tradition,” said Gyorgy. “People can come and do something for absolutely free and just enjoy the night as a family and everyone wants to come and stand in front of the lights, and the children come back year after year remembering what they did last year at the gingerbread house.”

Gyorgy said the popularity of the River Lights Winter Festival has grown each year.

“Its grown. We’ve added displays every year and they are quality displays. All of the displays are in sections, we have children’s themed displays at Toddy Jones Park and then in the Navy Park we have a section that’s nautical themed.”

The festival is also host to a number of ticketed events, such as a turkey dinner on Nov. 30. Other ticketed events include a concert held by the Windsor Junior Symphony on Dec. 2, as well as other concerts held throughout December.

However, the main purpose of the event is still to give back to the community and provide a fun holiday event for families to enjoy at no cost, Gyorgy said

“Mainly its us giving back to the community. Its Christmas time and its wonderful to see these people being able to enjoy something there’s no cost to.” said Gyorgy. “We do have a skate with Santa on Dec 3^rd and that is free to come and see and enjoy the lights.”