Enbridge has once again sponsored the River Lights Winter Festival and representatives were in Amherstburg last Thursday morning for the official cheque presentation. Haroon Sritharan, senior advisor of stakeholder engagement and communications, and Ian Robertson, supervisor of solar operations, joined town officials such as deputy CAO/director of development services Melissa Osborne, tourism co-ordinator Sarah Van Grinsven and manager of economic development, tourism and culture Jennifer Ibrahim for the presentation.
“It’s always good to be part of the community,” said Robertson. “The community has always been good to us, and we want to continue our efforts.”
Robertson said he likes to see the community come together.
“It’s amazing to me,” he said.
Robertson said as one of the country’s largest renewable energies companies, “Enbridge is immensely proud to support Amherstburg’s River Lights Winter Festival for the eleventh consecutive year. This partnership is a natural fit for us, giving Enbridge the opportunity to give back and share the holiday spirit alongside the Amherstburg community we are honoured to serve.”
Sritharan added the value the event provides and the importance of connecting with the community is important to Enbridge. He said he has come from Toronto to attend the event and admired the hundreds of people that gather to celebrate the holiday season.
Osborne said the sponsorship allows the town to present the event the way the community is used to.
“It means being able to host the event at the scale it occurs,” said Osborne.
“With Enbridge’s generous sponsorship, we are proud to continue the tradition our town has come to know and love, promoting the brilliant light displays which have become a signature backdrop in historic Amherstburg,” said Mayor Michael Prue in a press release.
Van Grinsven estimated there are 140 illuminated displays in King’s Navy Yard Park, Toddy Jones Park and other areas in Amherstburg.
The kickoff of the River Lights Winter Festival is Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. and includes the municipal tree lighting ceremony, fireworks and a family movie. It will follow the popular Super Santa Run/Walk/Wheel, which is presented by the Essex Region Conservation Authority.
The River Lights Winter Festival runs for six weeks and the Pathway to Potential Gingerbread Warming House in Toddy Jones Park is part of the festivities. The warming house is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 22.
More information on River Lights, including the schedule, can be found at www.visitamherstburg.ca.
Enbridge steps up with $22000 to sponsor River Lights Winter Festival
By Ron Giofu