Final preparations are underway at Jackson Park for this year's Bright Lights Windsor event.
The city will flip the switch and turn on the lights Friday night during opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m.
Speaking on AM800's The Morning Drive, mayor Drew Dilkens feels it's going to be a fun event for everyone in the community.
He says this year's festival includes some new features.
"You got to see the lights, you got to experience the music, the holiday market. This year we added a number of new features. We've got LED chair swings, we got a step n' light-tile area, so each tile that you step on turns a different colour and different patterns. We got a storybook train station this year," Dilkens said.
(Photo Credit: Courtesy the City of Windsor)
He says Bright Lights is an inclusive event and is meant to bring the community together.
"Bringing the community together and being able to rally and it's free at one location and you know the holiday spirit, we all have that this time of the year and it's just great when everyone is feeling so happy about their community, they're coming together in one of our premier parks," he continued. "We spent a lot of money lighting it up and putting on this great festival and putting on a great experience for everyone."
Dilkens says the event is meant for everyone in the community.
"It doesn't matter if you make a million dollars a year or whether you're on social assistance, this is one of those things that's open to everybody. There's no admission fee and it's just a community spirit type event. I look at the numbers, over 100,000 people walk through the gates to experience that festival every year."
The event runs until January 7 and features lighting displays, a holiday market, food trucks, a children's village and Santa's bench.
The park will be open from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Mike and Lisa from the Morning Drive will be on hand for the opening night celebrations.
- with files from AM800's The Morning Drive
Bright Lights Windsor (Photo by AM800's Rob Hindi)