Expect a group of protesters if you're heading to the Bright Lights Windsor Festival in Jackson Park Friday night.
About 30 people plan to quote "'hold the city accountable" for spending millions of dollars on tourism instead of such basic issues as poverty, homelessness and drug addiction.
Co-organizer Ocean Connolly says they're rallying against Mayor Drew Dilkens' so-called government neglecting the community.
She says instead of spending money on tourism events such as Bright Lights and events at the downtown aquatic centre, the municipal government should be focusing its attention and resources on homelessness, childhood poverty and death by drug overdose.
"Our goal is to send a message and bring awareness concerning the way that the city of Windsor has been prioritizing it's resources," says Connolly. "So our rally is going to be held at the Bright Lights display because Bright Lights is one example of how the city has chosen to focus on Windsor's public image whether than our true needs."
She says the local government needs to assist those in need.
"Mayor Dilkens government continues to place its emphasis on seeking out funding for so-called tourism projects like Bright Lights, like the water park," says Connolly. "So we're not against art or entertainment but there's an intelligent way to go about that in a working class city like Windsor and that involves ensuring that people's basic needs are met first."
The rally begins at 5:30pm place at the Jackson Park parking lot off Tecumseh Rd. E.