The Winter Pageant of Lights has grow to be a beloved custom in Niagara Falls, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. However how a lot have you learnt about its origins?
Early Beginnings in Niagara Falls, New York
The story of the pageant dates again to 1980, when it started because the “Festival of Lights” on the U.S. facet of Niagara Falls. Lasting 44 days, it was a community-driven occasion supported by sponsorship from the native tourism business and numerous volunteers.
Highlights included a nine-story “OxyLights” show synchronized to Christmas music, the illumination of the Nabisco silos because the “Nabisco Fantasy of Lights,” and hundreds of lights strung alongside Previous Falls Road and Lackey Plaza. Indoor sights featured animated shows protecting 15,000 sq. toes within the Niagara Falls Conference Heart and Carborundum Heart.
Regardless of its appeal, the U.S. Pageant of Lights confronted monetary challenges and led to 2004 because of inadequate sponsorship funding.
A New Starting in Niagara Falls, Ontario
Throughout its inaugural yr, the Pageant featured a modest assortment of lighting shows close to the Falls, drawing roughly 250,000 guests. Inspired by its success, the occasion expanded yearly, changing into a cherished winter custom for households and associates.
Recognizing the potential for a significant vacationer draw, Niagara Falls, Ontario, launched its personal model of the occasion in 1983, initially referred to as the “Festival of Lights” earlier than rebranding to the “Winter Festival of Lights” in 1985. This collaboration between the Niagara Falls Canada Customer and Conference Bureau, the Metropolis of Niagara Falls, and the Niagara Parks Fee debuted with a modest $18,000 funds. In its first yr, it welcomed 250,000 guests and 35 motor coaches.
At the moment, the pageant is in its forty second yr and attracts over 1 million annual guests, together with 750 motor coaches.
Memorable Milestones
- Disney Partnership (1992-2013): In 1992, the Pageant launched the “Enchantment of Disney,” a partnership with Disney that introduced over 20 animated shows of basic Disney characters to Queen Victoria Park. These shows, together with opening ceremonies that includes Disney characters, delighted guests for greater than twenty years earlier than being discontinued in 2013 when Disney restricted character appearances to its theme parks.
- Night time Parade of Lights (1998-2006): For almost a decade, the pageant featured a weekly parade with illuminated floats. In 2006, funds have been reallocated to boost park lighting and shows.
- Sponsor Contributions: Over time, sponsors like CAA (2010-2012) and Ontario Energy Technology (2013 to 2019) have helped elevate the pageant.
Over time, the Pageant embraced new themes and experiences, together with Korean lantern shows, creative installations, and interactive gentle options. In 2020, the Pageant doubled its stock of shows, and in 2021, it prolonged its period from 54 nights to 101, providing extra alternatives for guests to expertise its magic.
At the moment’s Winter Pageant of Lights
At the moment, the Winter Pageant of Lights transforms Niagara Falls into a stunning wonderland of coloration and light-weight from mid-November by means of early January. Stretching alongside the Niagara Parkway from Dufferin Islands to vacationer districts like Fallsview Boulevard and Lundy’s Lane, the Pageant options hundreds of thousands of lights, larger-than-life shows, and interactive experiences for all ages.
Highlights embrace over 50 large shows, corresponding to Canadian wildlife scenes, the towering two-storey Zimmerman Fountain, a 40-foot gentle tunnel, and an illuminated citadel. Many timber alongside the Niagara Parkway are wrapped in vibrant lights, making a picturesque setting that enhances the festive ambiance.
The Pageant is organized by Niagara Falls Tourism in partnership with the Province of Ontario, Tourism Partnership of Niagara, the Niagara Parks Fee, and native Enterprise Enchancment Areas. Company sponsors, together with Ontario Lottery & Gaming Company, the Niagara Falls Bridge Fee, Ontario Energy Technology, and Cogeco, present extra assist to make the Pageant a actuality.
Land Acknowledgement
Niagara Falls Tourism and the Winter Pageant of Lights respectfully acknowledge that this occasion takes place on the standard territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples. These lands, coated by the Higher Canada Treaties and guarded by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum settlement, are residence to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in the present day. This acknowledgment serves as a reminder of the area’s historical past and the continued relationship with Indigenous peoples whose sources and friendship contribute to our lifestyle.
Awards and Recognition
The Winter Pageant of Lights has acquired quite a few accolades through the years, together with:
- Occasion of the Yr
- High Pageant/Occasion in Ontario
- Finest Volunteer Program
- Most Progressive Partnership
- Occasions of Distinction Award from Festivals and Occasions Ontario (FEO)
The American Bus Affiliation (ABA) has additionally acknowledged the Pageant as one among its High 100 Internationally Recognized Occasions. These awards replicate the Pageant’s dedication to offering distinctive experiences and fostering group pleasure.
The Winter Pageant of Lights continues to enchant guests with its vibrant shows and festive spirit, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of Niagara Falls’ winter tourism season.
