Overview Transformation of Downtown Windsor into a Winter Wonderland

Overview• Transformation of Downtown Windsor into a Winter Wonderland• Holiday Parade with over 60 Floats and Units• Ice Sculptures and Live Carving Demonstrations• Holiday Shopping Village• Santa’s Forest• Ice skating Demonstrations• Horse-drawn Carriage Rides• Regional Wine Show• Period Carolers• Seasonal Treats• Online Holiday Recipes

Representation

• Dynamic Displays – Internationally renowned cold air balloon supplier & manufacturer• Windsor Light Musical Theatre• All Saints’ Church• Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island• Riverside Skating Club• Downtown Mission• St. Clair College – School of Culinary Arts• Media Outlets• Corporate Sponsors• City of Windsor and Municipal Agencies• Windsor-Essex Junior Culinary Guild

Vitality – Downtown Holiday Parade

• Demonstrated the downtown vitality through unique partnerships and community participation.

Image – Unique Downtown Experience

• Horse-drawn carriage rides allowed festival-goers to get a glimpse of the winter transformation of downtown Windsor, including Santa’s Forest, Ice Sculptures, and more.

Experiences – Holiday Shopping Village

• Modeled after an old European tradition, the Holiday Shopping Village was comprised of avenues of retail chalets featuring artists and crafters.

Experiences – Downtown Wine Show

• A celebration of award winning wines featuring eight regional wineries.

Innovation – Santa’s Forest• Festival-goers visited Santa and had their picture taken. Photos were downloaded

from the website free of charge.

Media

Sustainability• Demonstrated success in first year will lead to increased sponsorship and

partnership from leading national and international corporations.

• Regional exposure will drive attendance, overnight stays and tourism expenditures and in so doing contribute greatly to downtown economy.

Outcomes

• Multi-dimensional FREE festival• Promoted Downtown Windsor as a desirable family destination• Increased awareness of downtown’s assets• Attracted 10,000 spectators and festival-goers• Generated significant new tourism expenditures and business for merchants• Encourage partnership experiences• Encourage industry and organizational associations• Good combination of day time and night-time activities• Stimulated local tourism experiences• Engaged local hospitality industry• Engaged stakeholders• Encouraged visitation• Potential to be a significant economic driver• Instilled community pride, sense of ‘place’ and identity• Important social phenomena

Thank You