Tens of Thousands of Spectators Expected to See New "Sound & Light
Spectacular"

and other NEW Delights at Upper Canada Village's 9th Annual Alight at Night Festival

NEWS

TORONTO , Dec. 4 /CNW/ - Upper Canada Village's 9th annual "Alight at Night Festival" is promising some highly entertaining and fun-filled new experiences for the 35,000+ visitors who are expected to visit this 60-acre heritage attraction over the coming holiday season, including an all-new "Sound and Light Spectacular" show each evening.

A renowned outdoor living history museum in the summer, this Ontario treasure has become home to one of the province's largest winter lights festivals over the last decade.

Each season, the site transforms itself into a magical winter wonderland of over 40 19th-century buildings decorated in a quarter million lights, creating a one-of-a-kind, "surreal" backdrop for old-fashioned horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides, skating under the stars, Toy Train rides (sponsored by BMO Financial Group), festive dining, holiday shopping and more.

The following outline highlights the new enhancements to be featured at this year's festival, running from November 28 through to January 3 . Complete festival details can be found at www.AlightatNight.ca

    
    -   All New Sound & Light Spectacular - Sponsored by Canadian Tire
        The exterior façade of Crysler Hall, a stately 19th century mansion
        in the heart of the Village, and the grounds around it, will come
        alive with the sounds and sights of the holidays, as thousands of
        flickering coloured lights keep to the tempo as holiday music is
        piped into the night air. Showings will run every half hour each
        evening.

    -   First Annual Canadian Gingerbread Championships - Inside of Crysler
        Hall, masterpiece gingerbread creations from the Cordon Bleu School
        of Culinary Arts in Ottawa will be showcased throughout the festival
        alongside prize-winning entries from the public. The Cordon Bleu
        students also served as judges for the competition, when winners were
        chosen and announced on Saturday, November 28.

    -   Life-Size Gingerbread House - Giant, cut-out gingerbread cookie men
        will be stationed playfully in greeting at the entrance to a new
        life-size, hand-painted Gingerbread House, where visitors can
        purchase specialty treats including old-fashioned homemade
        Gingerbread cookies.

    -   Special Moments - A new outdoor "photo opp" has been created for
        visitors to stop and take their own keepsake photo, free of charge. A
        signed "Halfway to the North Pole" arch of festive greenery framing a
        large red sleigh for visitors to hop onto has been erected.

    -   Wine & Beer Now Served at Cook's Tavern - Opened for the first time
        during last year's Alight at Night Festival with warm-you up
        beverages and snacks, this comfortable 19th century tavern is now
        licensed to serve beer and wine to guests, offering a perfect break
        from the cold.

    -   Skating Under the Stars: Now Free for Kids on Select Nights - Thanks
        to several community partners, children 12 and under are now able to
        skate for free on select nights on the Village's EZ Glide rink,
        located just outside of Cook's Tavern. This state-of-the-art
        artificial skating surface offers a unique experience, and is the
        first of its kind to be used in the Canadian outdoors. Sponsored
        nights are posted online.

    -   New: Book a Festive Log Cabin Holiday - Now visitors can book an
        overnight stay in a cozy log cabin nestled within the borders of the
        Village, the Montgomery House. Bedecked for the holidays, this open
        concept, fully equipped log home is ideal for a romantic getaway, or
        as a holiday vacation spot for families or small groups. Package
        details can be found online.
    

QUOTES

"Our Alight at Night Festival has proven to be a mainstay winter tourist attraction in eastern Ontario" said Pat Macdonald , CEO of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission which operates Upper Canada Village. "Much of the festival's success has come from the fact that we inject new and exciting elements into the program each year. This year, we are more excited than ever at the variety of fun-filled activities and experiences our visitors are guaranteed to enjoy!"

    
    QUICK FACTS

    -   The Alight at Night Festival is open nightly starting November 28,
        2009 until January 3, 2010 (except December 24th and 25th)

    -   Admission fees are family friendly at only $6 for adults, $5 for
        youth 5 to 12, and $3 for children 2 to 4. Discounted combo tickets
        offering savings on rides and activities are available in advance at
        www.AlightatNight.ca and at select outlets.

    -   Upper Canada Village is located at 13740 County Road 2, Morrisburg
        Ontario (centrally located about 90 minutes south of Ottawa, east of
        Kingston, west of Montreal and north of Watertown, NY).

    -   The festival has helped turn the Cornwall & Seaway Valley region into
        an overnight tourist destination in what has traditionally been
        considered a non-tourism season for this part of Eastern Ontario.
        Packages are offered on the festival website.

    -   The festival is sponsored in part by the Ontario Tourism Event
        Marketing Partnership, Cornwall & Seaway Valley Tourism, the Cornwall
        & Seaway Valley Accommodations Partners, Canadian Tire, BMO, CTV
        Ottawa and other Community Sponsors found on www.AlightatNight.ca.
    

LEARN MORE

Learn about the festival at www.AlightatNight.ca.

Learn about Upper Canada Village at www.UpperCanadaVillage.com.

Learn more about the St. Lawrence Parks Commission at www.parks.on.ca.

Learn more about the Cornwall and Seaway Valley region at www.CornwallTourism.com.

PHOTOS AND B-ROLL FOOTAGE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

For further information: Jancis Sommerville, Upper Canada Village Marketing Officer, [phone], [email protected]