Wind, rain and two million lights
As far as opening night ceremonies go, it was probably the Winter Festival of Lights’ shortest — and wettest — ever.
But a steady downpour all night wasn’t enough to prevent the annual spectacle from starting its 35th season Saturday. After an abbreviated fireworks show — aided by Rick Mercer, no less — the soggy crowd at Queen Victoria Park took in several new lights and installations along the eight- kilometre lighting route on the Niagara Parkway.
The event has battled the elements before on its opening night, but few were as troublesome as Saturday’s kickoff. It forced executive director Tina Myers to “scale back” the ceremonies, including cancelling a second show scheduled for 7 p. m.
A pyro show by NorthFIRE was also affected, and plans to combine the two scheduled fireworks shows into one gala display was scrapped because of wind.
The last time the weather played such havoc with the show was in 2013 when Niagara Symphony Orchestra was scheduled to perform in conjunction with the fireworks.
“Due to the weather, we couldn’t put the symphony out onto the stage,” she recalled. “So we delayed it a bit, got them out there, and they did an amazing job.”
Mercer was filming a segment for his CBC comedy show The Rick Mercer Report, in the midst of its 15th and final season. During the opening ceremonies, he was in the gorge with the fireworks crew.
“He’s learned how to do all kinds of things, so it’s been quite an exciting day,” said Myers. “He’s a really nice guy.”
About 500 people attended the free ceremony, which Mayor Jim Diodati said has become the unofficial start of the Christmas season in Niagara Falls.
“It used to be Dec. 1, now it’s whatever coincides with the Winter Festival of Lights,” he said. “Although it’s raining, it hasn’t dampened the spirits.”
The opening was held on the same day as the annual Santa Claus Parade, also held in the rain.
Diodati said he has seen the festival “from every angle,” and was still taken aback by the sight along the Parkway Saturday.
“Coming down Clifton Hill and turning onto the Parkway … breathtaking was the word,” he said. “It’s absolutely spectacular, and anybody travelling here from wherever would not be disappointed.
“Tina and her team and the hundreds of volunteers do an outstanding job of stepping it up every year, keeping it current and relevant.”
This year’s festival offers more than two million lights across parks, Dufferin Islands and throughout the city, including two new interactive displays at Scotiabank Convention Centre until Dec. 16 and Queen Victoria Place Dec. 15 to Jan. 12.
The festival runs until Jan. 31. A full lineup of events and displays can be seen at www. wfol. com.