Hydro One and the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce were downtown this week adding almost a mile of holiday lights to the trees and street posts as part of the Light Up Orillia Lake Country project.
“We want our business partners, community members, and residents of Orillia to get involved in showing their seasonal spirit,” said Nathan Brown, president of the chamber.
The campaign encourages residents and businesses to decorate their homes and shops with lights to help brighten spirits during the pandemic.
“This is a way for us to engage with the community in the holiday season, which is really important in a year where we have all struggled so much,” Brown said.
The effort is also designed to promote the city’s Shop Locally campaign.
“The lights show Orillians and people who come here that Orillia is open for business right now. We’ve always had a strong and vibrant business community in the downtown core, and this is our opportunity to make sure everyone is aware of it,” Brown said.
“We’ve been focused on our (Shop Locally) campaign this year, and this is another way to promote that and our community.”
Chamber officials say 15,000 people have engaged with the Light Up Orillia Lake Country contest, which is taking place here. People can vote for the best-decorated homes and businesses in Orillia, Severn, Oro-Medonte, Rama and Ramara, until Dec. 21. The winners will receive a $1,000 gift certificate to a local business of their choice, courtesy of Hydro One, a major sponsor of the campaign.
Andrew McCorquodale, regional superintendent with Hydro One, said the company was thrilled with the opportunity to get involved with Light Up Orillia Lake Country.
“This is an opportunity to give back to a community where we live, work and play, here in Orillia,” he said.
“Hydro One is committed to energizing life in Ontario, so we want to give back to this community and make a great connection.”
Mayor Steve Clarke said that the initiative has been well received by residents and businesses so far. He believes the added holiday spirit is helping to keep morale up around the city.
“During any holiday season, but especially during COVID, I think people need a reason to go out safely and see something inspiring that gives them a reason to smile,” he said.
It is also an effective way to help struggling small businesses downtown during the holiday season, Clarke said.
“This gives people another reason to come downtown and walk or drive through and see the lights, and if that gives people one more reason to get out of the car and go into and support a local business, then that would be the icing on the cake,” he said.
