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The Ava Road grounds at Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant came alive with a vast array of colorful Christmas lights on Friday evening.
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“We’ve had a really long year, and it’s nice to get back together in-person,” said city Coun. John Sless prior to a countdown to switch on the Brantford Lights at Glenhyrst.
Now in its ninth year, the annual holiday light display is “a must-see event in our city,” said Sless.
Unlike the 2020 edition when visitors had to remain in their vehicles and drive through the grounds, this year people are able to walk among the displays.
“We live right around the corner. This is our park, ”said Shari Stubbs as she took a selfie with her husband, Rory, in a gazebo adorned with red and white light strings. “We get to walk it this year. We come almost every night if we’re able, for an after-dinner walk. ”
Staff from the city’s parks services spent about a month hanging lights and creating displays with an estimated 90,000 lights on the expansive property.
Andrea Blint and Nathan Armstrong brought their four-year-old daughter, Carly, to see the lights Friday night.
“I was here a couple of times before we had her,” Blint said. “It’s magical to come with a little one. The peacock is my favorite. It’s beautiful. ”
Inside the gallery, people were able to view the Vibrant Palette Student Exhibit featuring more than 300 artworks created by area school children in kindergarten through to Grade 12.
The gallery will be open only on Thursdays from 6 pm to 8 pm until Christmas to view the exhibit.
While admission to the gallery is free, donations are accepted. Additionally, bins will be on site for the collection of canned goods and non-perishable food items for the Brantford food bank.
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Dec. 5 is Lansdowne Night at the Lights with Santa and other costumed seasonal characters welcoming visitors and registered clients of Lansdowne Children’s Center. The latter will receive presents from the center in a drive-thru manner.
The Golden Teapot is accepting reservations for twilight tea bookings throughout December so patrons can enjoy a high tea experience while viewing the illuminated grounds.
R&J Theatrics will present It’s A Wonderful Life Radio Play in the Glenhyrst Coach House on Dec. 11 at 4 pm Tickets are $ 15 each and can be purchased online at www.glenhyrst.ca. Vaccine passports are required to attend the performance, and patrons must wear a mask throughout the show. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Nova Vita Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services.
Brantford Rotary Clowns will greet visitors on Dec. 15, accepting donations for Rotary-supported charities that include the Why Not Youth Center, Boys and Girls Club and Lansdowne.
An estimated 36,000 people drove through last year’s Brantford Lights in what has become an annual tradition for many.
Parking is limited on the grounds, and is not allowed on Ava Road.
“We encourage people to drive the park when parking is busy,” said gallery director Ana Olson. “We have a new parking crew, which will be more efficient in getting more cars parking and alert people when new spots become available.”
The 16-acre property – once owned by Edmund Cockshutt, a son of Cockshutt Plow Company magnate Ignatius Cockshutt – was bequeathed to the city in 1956 for all residents to enjoy.
The Brantford Lights began in 2012 when Joysey Street resident Jeff MacDonald moved his extensive light display to the gallery’s grounds at 20 Ava Rd.
The Brantford Lights at Glenhyrst will be illuminated nightly from 6 o’clock to 9 o’clock until Jan. 1.