Illuminite Lights Up the Holidays at Downtown Yonge Neighbourhood

Defying Gravity: A vertical ballet on a newly restored and historically designated HNR Building headlined Illuminite, Downtown Yonge BIA's kick-off to the holidays. (CNW Group/Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area)

TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area kicked off the holiday season with Illuminite on November 15th, a spectacular tree-lighting ceremony and 360 degree theatrical experience at a crowded Yonge-Dundas Square.

Part of the DYBIA's annual Winter Magic event series, Illuminite lived up to its expectations by both surprising and delighting visitors and locals alike with an array of performances and music.  A troupe of vertical dancers headlined the evening's entertainment, performing a vertical ballet on the walls of the newly-restored and heritage-designated HNR building on the Square's southern perimeter.

The evening's highlight was the lighting up of 52,000 LED bulbs on a 40ft sculptural light tree, as well as canopy column lighting around the Square and the ever-popular trio of polar bears at the corner of Yonge Street and Dundas Street East.

As always, Illuminite was came together through effective community collaboration.

"We would like to thank creative partner Creativiva; media partners City and Metro News; and the Eaton Chelsea hotel for their support and willingness to partner," says DYBIA executive director Mark Garner.

Holiday décor will remain up at both Yonge-Dundas Square and throughout Downtown Yonge during the winter season: including cross-street lighting displays on Yonge Street; the lit sleigh and reindeer at the College Street median; and lit treescapes along Elm Street.

SOURCE Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area

Niagara Falls Illumination Board Shines Spotlight on Niagara Falls

Board Issues RFQ to Examine Enhanced Lighting of the Falls

As part of its ongoing role to support the destination and promote increased visitation to the region, the Niagara Falls Illumination Board has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), to investigate new lighting technology and capabilities to improve the overall illumination of both the Canadian Horseshoe and American Falls.

Currently, both Falls are lit using Xenon light technology. As it undertakes this process, the Board would like to assess what new technologies could be used to enhance or upgrade the existing lighting systems now in place, as well as the potential for improvements in energy efficiency. It has been almost 20 years since the Illumination Board made a major investment in lighting technology. The recent success of events such as the Wallenda Walk, Red Bull Crashed Ice, the Nelson Mandela tribute and the Illumination of the Falls in celebration of the Royal Birth, have shown the tremendous potential increased lighting can provide in showcasing Niagara to visitors from throughout the world.

"The Illumination Board is proud of the role we have played in the tourism industry and of the efforts we have made in creating a lasting impression of Niagara Falls for our visitors," stated Jim Diodati, Mayor of the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario and Chair of the Illumination Board. "By undertaking this RFQ, we hope to learn more about what can be done to further shine a positive light on Niagara for all our visitors, so they can truly appreciate the beauty and majesty that is Niagara Falls at night."

This RFQ has been developed to assist the Niagara Falls Illumination Board in identifying experienced, capable and qualified lighting firms to provide information on how the lighting of both the Canadian Horseshoe and American Falls can be improved or enhanced. Based on the submissions received, firms must demonstrate expertise in the lighting selection design, construction technology and successful implementation of similar projects in other jurisdictions. This RFQ will also be used to pre-qualify firms for any subsequent RFP that may be issued with respect to the enhancement of the illumination of both the Canadian and American Falls. Those interested in participating in the Request for Qualifications process, can obtain more information and register via the MERX procurement database at:www.merx.com/niagaraparks.

Established in 1925, The Niagara Falls Illumination Board is made up of representatives from the City of Niagara Falls Ontario, the City of Niagara Falls, New York, Ontario Power Generation Inc., The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and The Niagara Parks Commission.  It is the Illumination Board's responsibility and mandate to finance and maintain the nightly illumination of both the Horseshoe and American Falls.

Black Creek Pioneer Village to "fright" and delight families this Halloween

-Have a haunting good time at Howling Hootenanny or experience chills at Ghost Walks-

Halloween means old time fun at Howling Hootenanny, Black Creek Pioneer Village's family oriented Halloween event complete with trick or treating throughout the Village. Families will enjoy shooting apples into the Valley with the apple sling shot, a creepy creature show, the haunted maze, face painting with airbrush tattoos, pumpkin decorating,Halloween crafts and more.

Or, for the more daring, visit us on our Ghost Walks night, to experience the eerie side of Black Creek Pioneer Village. Led by our knowledgeable "ghost" guides, our signature tours offer three unique ways to experience Black Creek after dark. Hear stories of hauntings and paranormal activity while touring the historic buildings. Bring your camera and recorder to document ghostly encounters and a flashlight or lantern to explore the buildings. These tours are not for the faint of heart and are recommended for adults and those interested in the paranormal.  Author and ghost hunter Terry Boyle of the Haunted Ontario book series will be on site to sign books and speak about his spooky experiences in the field.

What: Howling Hootenanny

Event Details:

• Main stage performances by Abracadracula (October 18th & 19th), Kobbler Jay (October 25^th) and The Fire Guy (October 26th)
• Creepy Creature Show - Get up close and personal with a crew of spooky critters!
• Happy Faces Airbrush Tattoos (12:30-4:30)
• The Haunted Maze - Are you brave enough to make it to the end? (12:00-4:00)
• Scarecrow Mini Maze - Fun for the little ones.
• Apple Sling Shot (12:00-4:00)
• FREE Pumpkin Decorating (while supplies last)
• Trick-or-Treat in the Village

When: October 18 & 19  and October 25 & 26 11:00 am – 4:30 pm

Admission:

• Adults (ages 15 - 59) $15
• Children (ages 5-14) $11
• Seniors (ages 60+) $14
• Students (15+ with ID) $14
• Children 4 years and under (when accompanied with a parent) are FREE
• Members Free
• Parking $7 per car/day

What: Black Creek Ghost Walks

When: October 25

Admission: Reservations required. Buy tickets online at www.blackcreek.ca or call 416-667-6295

Tour Details:

A HAUNTED VILLAGE: Explore the most active buildings at Black Creek with our "ghost" guides.  Visit with a bereaved ghost in Burwick House, hear the tragic story of Michael Stong in the Stongs' Second House, look out for the lady in yellow in the Flynn House and hear tales from beyond the Veil in the Grain Barn. Discover the stories behind the paranormal activity and explore the buildings by flashlight and lantern.

Tour Times: 5:30pm, 7:15pm & 9:00pm,

Ticket Price: $18+hst/Member, $20+hst/non-Member

GHOST TALES AND HISTORIC ALES: Enjoy ghost stories, legends, a cemetery and more! Hear the story of the miserly Minister of the Manse, snap photos of the orbs in the Fisherville Cemetery and hear a tragic tale in Robin's Mill before heading over to the haunted Half Way House.  This tour ends in the Black Creek Historic Brewery with a guided tasting of three historic ales brewed on-site.   

Tour Times: 6:00pm, 7:45pm & 9:15pm,

Ticket Price: $20+hst/Member, $23+hst/non-Member

DEATH & DYING IN THE VICTORIAN AGE:  The Victorians made dying an art! This tour explores the disturbing Victorian rituals around death including postmortem photography, mourning and remembrance.  See actual artifacts and discover how Victorians were hurried to their deaths through diseases, epidemics, crime and questionable doctoring including bloodletting, trepanation and more!

Tour Times: 6:45pm & 8:30pm,

Ticket Price: $18+hst/Member, $20+hst/non-Member

Where: Black Creek Pioneer Village: 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto, Ontario