Barrie Celebrates With WinterLights

(Barrie, ON) With Halloween behind us, it must mean that WinterLights is upon us! Just weeks after collecting top honours at this year’s national Communities in Bloom competition, the City of Barrie is pleased to be welcoming back the second annual Winterlights competition. Last year Barrie residents embraced this ‘bright’ new initiative and received top honours with a 5 star rating.

“WinterLights encourages communities to showcase their winter activities, festive celebrations, visual decorations and goodwill programs,” says Mayor Dave Aspden. “This community initiative is another example of the many events going on in our city, and why so many return to visit.”

WinterLights is made up of five categories including; Visual Presentation, Winter Pleasures, Festive Season Celebrations, Goodwill Programs, and Tourism Promotion. Some of the many benefits from participating in the WinterLights program include; increased winter tourism, enhanced civic pride and community involvement, participation from all ages and walks of life, mobilization of citizens, and the involvement of community groups, and businesses.

“WinterLights is another way that residents and businesses can get involved with our community. This is something that is fun, festive and an opportunity where the whole family can get involved. I hope that everyone takes the opportunity to participate,” says Councillor Lynn Strachan, WinterLights Committee Chair.

Gearing up for this exciting new initiative, the City is collecting information from Barrie residents, community groups, service clubs, schools, churches and businesses that are involved in projects and/or activities relating to the WinterLights categories.

To find out more about this new winter program and to register your projects and/or activities please visit www.barrie.ca.