Thousands “Take It All In” at Bright Lights Windsor 2022
Bright Lights Windsor 2022 wrapped up for the season after its final evening on Sunday, January 8, 2023.
The City of Windsor invited visitors to “take it all in” at this year’s bigger and brighter event, and thousands came to Jackson Park to joyfully do just that. It is estimated that over 100,000 people enjoyed the lights, displays and holiday cheer that were offered through December and early January. The event also served to highlight local hospitality businesses, and support the important work of charitable organizations in our community.
Here are a few highlights to celebrate from this year’s event:
Following this year’s theme, “Take it All In,” this year’s pathway guided visitors through a series of exciting zones: Wish Upon a Star; Winter Wonderland; the new Royal Promenade in honour of Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II; Santa’s Workshop; Peace & Love Around the World; W.E. the North, and our new Children’s Enchanted Village, where kids could write letters to Santa from the comfort of our inflatable igloo, or ride the Holiday Train and enjoy our new scavenger hunt, sponsored by Libro Credit Union. Opportunities to be wowed at every turn and excellent settings for the perfect picture – including some fun new selfie stations – were abundant.
The WE Made It: Holiday Market returned, sponsored by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island in partnership with the Urban Art Market, Rose City Etsy Team and WindsorEats. Along with the market, several excellent local food and beverage options were offered throughout the weekdays.
Sensory friendly “Silent Nights” were offered on Tuesday evenings. As in previous years, the lights were on, but sound was muted and strobe elements paused so the display could be enjoyed in a peaceful environment accommodating to sensory sensitivities.
A number of gracious partners and sponsors helped in so many ways, including Tim Hortons, Libro Credit Union, University of Windsor, RE/MAX Care Realty Team Goran, Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island, St. Clair College, St. Clair College Alumni Association, WindsorEssex Community Foundation, WFCU Credit Union, AM800 CKLW, CTV, windsoriteDOTca News and the Windsor Star.
Encouraging Windsor’s incredible charitable spirit was a priority once again this year, and each week we had a designated hut for a Community Giving Partner to showcase their work and further engage with the community. Ten community giving partners/charities attended for one or more nights, including W.E. Care for Kids Foundation (hot chocolate), Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, Operation Keep Windsor Warm (clothing drive), Noah’s House Mental Health Foundation Inc., Ronald McDonald House Charities – Southwestern Ontario, DAT Optimist Club (Angel Gift giving campaign for families), Brentwood Recovery Home (lottery ticket sales), Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County (awareness), Sleep in Heavenly Peace (fundraising), and Team Goran RE/MAX Care Realty (Street Help clothing drive). While the full impact of donations and support for our Charitable Giving Partners is still being calculated, thus far we know that $14,000 was raised by W.E. Care for Kids (their best year yet with us) and 1,000 pairs of socks plus hundreds of blankets, coats, hats, gloves and scarves were collected by Team Goran in support of Street Help.
The focus now shifts to removal of the event displays and equipment, which organizers say will be progressive and weather permitting. Updates regarding the re-opening of Jackson Park will be ongoing.
“Bright Lights Windsor has become an important and much loved holiday tradition for families across the City of Windsor and from the surrounding region,” says Mayor Drew Dilkens. “Year after year, this festival creates opportunities for families to get out and get active during the holiday season, while highlighting small businesses and the drive to support local, and providing a platform for charitable organizations to increase community engagement and giving opportunities. I want to thank every vendor, charity and sponsor for stepping up to support this award-winning festival once again this year. I also thank the countless City staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to deliver this unforgettable experience, and all those individuals and families who stopped by to take it all in. We were happy to welcome you back this year, and we look forward to seeing you again in 2023.”
Share Your Thoughts!
If you visited us, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a few moments to share your feedback through our survey:
2022 Bright Lights Attendee Survey
To learn more, contact 311 or visit www.BrightLightsWindsor.ca online.