Tens of Thousands of Spectators Expected to See New "Sound & Light
Spectacular"
and other NEW Delights at Upper
NEWS
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
- 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
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
Learn more about the St.
Learn more about the Cornwall and Seaway Valley region at www.CornwallTourism.com.
PHOTOS AND B-ROLL FOOTAGE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
For further information: For further information: Jancis Sommerville, Upper Canada Village Marketing Officer, (613) 543-3704, [email protected]
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