November
8th, 2013
Media Release – for immediate release
First Light at Sainte-Marie
will amaze visitors with 5,000 candles
Named
by Festivals and Events Ontario as one of its “Top 100” events in the province,
Midland’s Sainte-Marie’s among the Hurons spectacular First Light returns for
its 14th year on the evenings of November 28th, 29th
and 30th.
The
unique feature of First Light is the illumination of the historic site only by candlelight. Over 5,000 candles
in historic buildings and along lantern-lit paths lead to a variety of fun
family activities.
Upon
entering the site, visitors will encounter the popular “Survival In The Bush”
historical encampment at the main gates. In the Jesuit Residence, children can write
with quill pens as they prepare their very own seasonal messages on Christmas
cards designed by students at Bayview Public Elementary School in Midland. The
card is one of many Christmas “take home” crafts children can make at First
Light. In the Sainte-Marie foyer, children will love making a corn husk doll,
and creating a special angel ornament in the Carpenter Shop. Festival du Loup, La
Clé d’la Baie and Eco Huronie will offer “Fleur de lys” crafts in the En
Colombage building. In the Cookhouse 12,000 gingerbread and shortbread cookies from
historic recipes will be available for sampling. The sounds and sparks of
musket fire will fill the night courtesy of re-enactor group La Compagnie
Franche de la Marine.
Festive
music has always been a crowd pleaser at First Light, and this year’s event will
provide a wonderful mix of performers. New this year will be Ruth Sutherland,
playing selections from her “A Canadian Christmas” CD that has been nominated
for 3 Hamilton Music Awards. A cappella troupe, Mix’n’Match will wander through
the historic site filling the air with seasonal sounds. Local artist Michel
Payment will share his inspiring songs in the Sainte-Marie Chapel.
Traditional
French and holiday music will be provided by the popular Famille Lefaive “ARIKO”
and Jill et les Bucherons at the “French Café” in Restaurant Sainte-Marie. In
Sainte-Marie’s famous longhouses, the Christian Island Drum Group and Red
Spirit Drum Group will thrill audiences with their First Nations drumming,
chanting, and singing. A total of 12
choirs including seven school groups will also perform at the event over three
evenings, including the return of The Children’s Community Choir from Penetanguishene,
the OPP Chorus, la Chorale de l’École Sainte-Croix and le Choeur d’la Clé.
For
everyone who would like to do some early Christmas shopping, 21 exceptional
artisans will be in the Sainte-Marie Museum and the Sainte-Marie gift shop will
be open each night.
The
magical First Light event will be
presented at Sainte-Marie among the
Hurons evenings November 28, 29, and
30 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission
is just $10.00 per person with a non-perishable food item that will be donated
to the local Salvation Army food bank.
Children ages 5 and under are free. For information call (705) 526-7838
or visit www.hhp.on.ca
Special
Notes: Please be advised that with the
exception of service animals, pets are not allowed on the historic site for
this event. Overflow parking will be
available at Doral Industries, (former Mitsubishi/RCA building) 100 Wye Valley
Road. Free shuttle buses will operate from Doral to Sainte-Marie throughout
each evening.
Sainte-Marie
among the Hurons is operated by Huronia Historical Parks,
and
is an Attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport.
-30-
Media Contact:
Gary
Molnar
Manager,
Marketing, New Media and Visitor Services
Huronia
Historical Parks
Sainte-Marie
among the Hurons
Discovery
Harbour
www.hhp.on.ca
705
528-7696
No comments:
Post a Comment