Bright Lights Windsor shines

By Todd Shearon

The holiday season got a little brighter this weekend for Windsor residents.

The much anticipated Bright Lights Windsor opened at Jackson Park with an inaugural tree lighting ceremony on Friday night.

Mayor Drew Dilkens was excited to finally kick off the festival of lights which is now open daily to the public from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“There are hundreds of thousands of lights on display here and it’s just a great thing for families to come to,” said Dilkens. It’s free for the whole community. So come out and just celebrate the holiday season together. It’s a great event at Jackson Park and we want everyone to come out and see it.”

City council approved a $3 million budget for the lights display on the eve of the city’s worst flood back in August.

Pressure from the community forced Dilkens to rework the budget in the city’s best interest.

“We were anticipating double the amount that we spent and I scaled back that amount after the flood,” said Dilkens. “So this is really only half of what we were going to do. The half that I see is really spectacular. I’m so impressed with what we have and I’m speechless when I look at everyone here enjoying the lights. It’s exactly why we did it. For the families in our community that deserve this type of thing.”

But Dilkens says it’s about more than just the lights.

“It’s also horse and carriage rides, hot chocolate and vendors. It’s really something for the whole family, so come on out and try it,” he said.

Windsor resident Jenna LeBeouf attended the event with family and was impressed by the festival’s displays.

“The lights are amazing,” said Lebeof. “I love all the colours. They put on a really good show and I loved it.”

LeBeouf’s three-year-old niece Lise Trepanier was almost speechless at all the lights and got her chance to tell Santa Claus what she wanted for Christmas.”

“I want Jungle Book at home,” said Trepanier. “And at grandma’s!”

Jordan Atahir, who visited Jackson Park with friends liked the colours and all the decorations.

“Alot of people put in hard work to do this,” said Atahir. “Shout out to the people who did this. Last year it was pretty boring and lame but this year it’s really good.”

Bright Lights Windsor runs through Jan. 7, 2018 and will return to Jackson Park next December.

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