Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 17, 2000, Winnipeg, Manitoba Ell its official a Winnipeg is the Christmas Light capital of Canada. Former Winnipeg mayor Susan Thompson made the unofficial declaration several years ago and Manitoban Rose to the Challenge. Whether we re showing off our Christmas spirit or secretly hoping the lights will warm up the frigid temperatures outside going big on Holiday lights is definitely a Manitoba thing. A a it a absolutely exciting the Way things have come along to brighten up the City and make it a Christmas capital a said Tom ethans executive director of take Pride Winnipeg. A a we be got the Snow and the Clear skies and with the Light of the Moon and the Christmas lights bouncing off the Snow at night ifs an amazing across the country pilots have begun to notice Winnipeg a spectacular displays. A a it a very pretty a said Derek Clark of air Canadas flight operations. A a it a partly because of the weather a when its very Clear and very cold the lights shimmer because of the heat rising from the City. And Winnipeg is one of the few airports in Canada where you Fly Over residential areas prior to Thompson said it shows her original idea to Market Winnipeg a Achilles Heel a our frosty Winter a has paid off. It certainly seemed to set in motion a mad obsession for Christmas lights that spans the entire province. Lift Peoples spirits a a in a touched and delighted a said Thompson now an official with the Canadian consulate general in Minneapolis. A what better Way to uplift Peoples spirits than to take what is our darkest time a it year and Light it up a Dennis the Turik and his two kids spend a fair bit of time and Money erecting a massive display in the front Yard of their Home in the Maples. What drives him is the Joy he knows other people will get when they drive by the display. A it Only comes once a year and ifs supposed to be a Happy time so its Worth it a said the Turik a contender this year in the City a Christmas lights contest. The feeling is catching on throughout Winnipeg and across Manitoba. A a there a been More interest in the last two years than in be Ever seen before a said ethans. A just by putting up their lights even if its one strand they re saying they re excited about Christmas and proud of the City of Thompson said the White lights of Winnipeg initiative started with lighting up Broadway and the Airport. A when some people think of Winnipeg they think of Winter and ifs negative a Thompson said. A i thought lets take that and turn it into the most positive and vibrant thing in the winners of the Christmas lights Competition in Winnipeg will be announced tuesday. With 150 entries it will be a Tough decision to make said ethans. Linden Woods has typically been the City a main Christmas Light Mecca but Elm Street in River Heights and some parts of East Kildonan run a close second. Christmas train unique exhibits include driveways lined with Candy canes theme streets and moving displays. For example one Home in East Kildonan features a Dickens scene another has a Santa perched High up in a tree on the Boulevard and another family disassembled a Bike to make a motorized display including a Christmas train. There a also a drive through lights display at the red River exhibition grounds. For $10 per car visitors can enjoy the moving lights display operated by the Canad inns and the red River exhibition association. And the fascination with Christmas lights does no to fade beyond the City a perimeter. Portage la Prairie is vying for a special Christmas title of its own the City of lights. Deputy mayor Ken Brennan said 40 Trees Are lit up in downtown Portage As Well As Many neighbourhoods through the City. Brennan spearheaded a Holiday drive through Light show at the City a Island Park that would give the display at the red River exhibition grounds a run for its Money. A it really is breathtaking a he said. The Manitoba Hydro Power smart Island of lights presented by a Channel features a massive display with 125,000 lights. For $5 a car families drive through a huge Holly Wreath into the display which includes everything from jumping Elk to moving trains to dinosaurs. Visitors can make the 15-minute trip in a Sleigh or stay in their car and switch to an pm station to enjoy Christmas carols during the ride. A hopefully this will end up being the brightest drive through Light show in Western Canada Quot said Brennan. A a it a about economic development City Pride and an identity for our City like the Morden Corn and Apple the Portage display is in its second year and is becoming a popular tourist destination. More than 28,000 visitors drove through last year and Bren Wike Deal Winnipeg free press Many Winnipeg homeowners go All out in decorating their Homes for the Christmas season including those at 108 Cathedral ave. Top35 a gated. Above from left103 Fox Meadow or and95 Tudor ires. Planning your own twinkle tour heres where to Start Nan said that number is expected to grow this guess 20-42. Call to Register. It said i participants Are Aske Winnipeg Holiday of lights tour i the bus tour includes a visit to the red River exhibition Winter wonderland and several of the City a Best decorated neighbourhoods including Linden Woods East St. Paul St. James and River Heights. I to Book a seat on the coach Call 986-5663. The Cost for the tour which runs from 6 30 . To 9 ., is $10 per person. I buses run nightly until dec. 22, with up to five buses scheduled for each night. I pick up locations have been set up throughout the City. Special pick up arrangements can be made for Tours on dec. 13 and 20 for groups of we re All drawn to lights. Its part of our nature a he said. Asked to bring a non perishable food item to be donated to Winnipeg Harvest. Winnipeg dinner and lights tour i this tour includes the Holiday lights tour plus a Turkey dinner at the rib Shack. I the event runs dec.,18 and costs $25. I Call 986-5663 for More information. Canad inns Winter wonderland i this drive through Christmas lights theme Park is located at red River exhibition Park 3977 Portage ave. Just West of the perimeter. I cars enter from Portage Avenue West to take in the display which is open daily from 5 30 . To 10 30 . Except on Christmas Day. I the Cost to View the display of 100,000 lights is $10 per vehiclej3us rates Are available by calling 888-6990. I the trip is 1.6 Kilometres Long with 15 theme areas and Advance tickets Are available at All participating Safeway locations. I for More information Call 888-6990 or visit . Portage la Prairie Christmas lights tour i the Manitoba Hydro Power smart Island of lights presented by a Channel features a massive display with 125,000 lights. I for $5 a car families can drive through a huge Holly Wreath into the display at the City a Island Park. The display includes everything from jumping Elk to moving trains to dinosaurs. Visitors can make the 15-minute trip in a Sleigh or stay in their car and switch to an pm station to enjoy Christmas carols during the ride. I Call 204 239-8326 to Register for a bus tout which costs $50 per bus. a game on columnist Todd Mowatt rates the top digital video games and other High tech electronic entertainment innovations that will enthral those who receive them Christmas morning /b3winnipeg free press editor Margo Goodhand / 697-7076 d Quot a urn i their duty is to kill the people who walk into americans busiest death chamber and help end lives Are plagued by doubts about their grim jobs /b2 ;