Welcomed Change

Friday, 9 January 2015 at 05:36

Despite some technical glitches due to changes in the weather, Woodstock's new Winter Lights set up was a welcomed change.

WOODSTOCK - The pilot project of the new set up for Woodstock's Winter Lights was well received.

City Communications and Special Events Manager Brad Janssen says they hope to increase the number of displays each year at the three locations...Museum Square, the Snow Countess and the newest one, Southside Park. "We've created some pedestrian traffic down there and the feedback has been very, very positive. A few bugs and glitches to iron out with regards to the climate (and drastic changes in weather) because some of the lights went out and we're confident that we can iron out those bugs and increase the splendour that are the lights at Southside Park each year."

Their goal is to make Southside Park a destination point for the holiday season.

A number of displays were moved to the park including the large tree that was in Museum Square; some of lights were placed on the larger trees in the Square as well as the smaller trees were suffering damage from the lights being strapped to the branches and Santa's House moved back to its original location by Dundas Street.

"It's a little bit more accessible for the programs that the BIA does put out with the horse-drawn sleigh rides and things of that nature and for the most part creates a more appropriate traffic flow. And of course it was complimented by the murals that we put on the side of Dairy Capital Cheese. It worked out well, I can see the house going back in that location for years to come."

Janssen welcomes feedback and suggestions from the community ahead of their planning process for the 2015 Winter Lights display. "We're always listening, we want to do what the people want to see happen, it's just a matter of generating the appropriate resources whether it be through the city or sponsorship. Any idea is a great idea and there might be even the formation of an ad-hoc committee to help solicit some of the displays and so on."