Many readers confuse me with Viki Mather, our
In the Bush columnist. The other Viki was writing for the
newspaper for almost a decade before I arrived.
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VICKI GILHULA |
People always tell me I don't look like my
photo in the newspaper. And when readers tell me they like my
column, I enjoy the compliment, but I suspect they really mean
the other Viki's popular environment column.
I am a city gal. It is not the birds or the
bugs that signal the return of spring for me. Rather it is the
sound of distant motorcycles.
Last Sunday my bedroom windows were open and
I heard that familiar roar of warmer weather to come. It was a
welcome sound.
Spring has arrived. But it is not too early
to start thinking about Christmas.
Sudbury Charities is currently conducting a
feasibility study regarding the expansion of its annual holiday
light display.
The event at Science North consists of 178
displays and more than 22,000 lights. About 30,000 people visit
the Sudbury Festival of Lights at Science North each
year.
It opens on the same day as the Santa Claus
parade and continues into the first week of the new year.
People are encouraged to make donations.
The money is used by the organization to send
young people to summer camp.
Sudbury Charities purchased the light
displays in 1991 from families in Garson.
For several years the Boyers and Gauthiers
hosted their own light show. It was a lot of work so when the
families decided to sell their lights and
displays, the non-profit organization
purchased them and created the "festival" at Science North.
Since that time, Sudbury Charities has upgraded and added
displays.
The organizers are looking at the future. The
displays are in need of repair, and there has been a decline in
visitors and donations in recent years.
Sudbury Charities board could shut down the
event or let it die a slow death. The members are considering a
third option.
They would like to expand the Festival of
Lights. It could become a major tourist attraction, says Daniel
Gringas, who is doing the feasibility study.
Gringas says the improved festival would have
new attractions such as a giant Jack-in-the box and a "magical
kingdom" gateway at the Science North entrance.
These displays would use LED lights that
reduce electricity consumption by 90 per cent.
Gringas is enthusiastic about the
concept.
A bigger and better festival could attract
visitors to the city during the biggest shopping season of the
year. It would create more jobs in tourism and
increase donations to the charity, he
says.
But like all good ideas, Sudbury Charities
needs the help of the community. The festival needs sponsors
with cash to purchase the lavish displays.
The estimated cost for displays, site
preparation, and conversion to LED lights is estimated at $1
million and change.
People who are interested in hearing more
about this should contact Gringas at 675-3183.
Vicki Gilhula is the managing editor of Northern Life.
