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WinterLights Celebrations is the winter program of Communities in Bloom. Created in 2001 to encourage communities to showcase winter activities, festive celebrations and visual decorations, it wishes to increase Canada’s appeal as a winter tourist destination and improve the quality of life in communities across the country.
Photo: City of Stratford, Ontario
The program was initiated with the help of the Canadian Tourism Commission and promotes the involvement and actions of citizens and volunteers of all ages, the municipal government, service organizations, industry and commerce. Municipalities participate by population categories. There is also a Winners Circle Category, where winners of past editions compete with each other.
Trained volunteer judges travel across Canada in late November and December to evaluate registered communities in five key criteria : Visual Presental, Winter Pleasures, Festive Season Celebrations, Goodwill Programs and Tourism & Promotion.
To learn more about the program, click here.