Anyone who was unwilling to let go of summer just yet, take note: If ever there was a surer sign that winter is fast approaching, this is it. The Sudbury Charities Foundation Festival of Lights comes together at Science North on Oct. 29, at around 9 a.m.
The volunteers from SCF, with help from Greater Sudbury Hydro, Cambrian College Powerline Technician students and staff, and the Francophone Boy Scouts will be working together to assemble the popular holiday trademark.
The displays were originally created by two families in Garson 27 years ago and were later purchased by the SCF.
SCF has been maintaining and adding to the collection ever since, and the entire display now encompasses more than 250 separate elements containing approximately 3.25 km of rope lighting with nearly 55,000 LED lights.
"The Festival of Lights at Science North is one of the Sudbury Charities Foundation's core fundraising efforts", said Dustin Bradley, Treasurer for the Foundation and the Project Chair.
"With the help of the volunteers, Science North staff and the community members who come back to visit the lights year after year, we’re able to make a significant impact in the lives of underprivileged children right here in Sudbury."
The Sudbury Charities Foundation was established in 1967 to raise money to support development programming for underprivileged youth in Sudbury. The Festival of Lights raises an average of about $25,000 annually.
All SCF initiatives are performed by board members with support of volunteer stakeholders, which means administrative costs are near zero. In fact, about 99 cents of every dollar raised goes directly back to the community.
The ceremonial lighting of the display will take place Sunday, Nov. 20 in collaboration with Science North’s Holiday Film Festival.
