The holidays will sparkle at Gray’s Creek

November 6, 2020

The holidays will have some added sparkle in Cornwall this year with a new community event at Gray’s Creek.

The Gray’s Creek Holiday Sparkle event is a drive-through light and sound experience along the 1 km roadway that winds through beautiful Gray’s Creek at the eastern edge of Cornwall.

The experience will be created by the community, with a team of volunteers leading. Companies, organizations and families can sponsor and decorate a tree or section along the drive in Gray’s Creek by visiting the Sponsorship Page on the event’s website.

“The event is being created to connect the community safely during the pandemic and to bring joy and wonder to Cornwall and area residents,” said event lead Kelly Bergeron.

The event will run nightly until December 20th. The cost is free however donations will be gratefully accepted (to support the event and the United Way of SDG). Non-perishable food items will also be accepted at the event in support of the Agape Centre.

It will be a timed event and tickets are available via the Holiday Sparkle website.

For those who are unable to attend the event in-person, there will be a virtual reality experience which will be accessible through the Holiday Sparkle website, beginning in December.

Make a night of it!

Why not make a night of it with your visit to Holiday Sparkle!

Show your Holiday Sparkle ticket at one of the following restaurants and receive 10% off your order on the night of your visit (takeout only)!

Schnitzels European Flavours
158 Pitt Street
613-938-8844
Order online

Truffles Burger Bar
155 Pitt Street
613-933-9112
Website

Edward’s Bistro
35 Second Street East
613-710-0325
Order online

Hops & Barley Restaurant & Lounge
1515 Vincent Massey Drive
613-932-0451
Website

Please note the offer is valid for dinner menu and takeout only. The offer cannot be combined with any other offer. The promotion is subject to change at the restaurant’s discretion. Please check with restaurants for hours of service and safety protocols.

Keep the fun going after dinner and Holiday Sparkle with a drive through Cornwall exploring the beautifully-lit homes and neighbourhoods!

The City of Cornwall has developed a convenient holiday lights map to steer you in the right direction!

Online interactive Cornwall Holiday Lights Map

Printable Cornwall Holiday Lights Map

Get your ticket!

Tickets to Holiday Sparkle are now available online.

Tickets are good for 1 vehicle and you can either select a free ticket or select a ticket and make a donation (50% towards the event and 50% towards the United Way).

Click here to secure your ticket!

Event information

The event is solely for vehicles and vehicles will only be allowed to enter with a ticket. Please ensure a ticket is obtained in advance.

Entrance to the event will be from the southern entrance to Gray’s Creek along County Road 2.

Be a part of the event!

This community-driven event is looking for volunteers, equipment, sponsorships (financial and in-kind) and other forms of assistance.

Companies, community groups and families can sponsor and decorate a tree or set up a display along the route. Or you can simply make a donation or volunteer your time to support this community event. It’s a great way to showcase your community pride and add to the festive cheer this holiday season!

Click here for Holiday Sparkle sponsorship and donation information

For additional information or to contact the organizers with an idea or suggestion, please use the Contact Us form on the Holiday Sparkle website.

Additional information

The Social Development Council’s experienCity Project is leading the planning and organization of the event. The event is being put on in partnership with the Raisin Region Conservation Area and with support from Cornwall Tourism.

About Gray’s Creek

Located just east of Cornwall north of County Road 2 and east of Boundary Road, Gray’s Creek Conservation Area offers over 43 hectares of natural landscape for the enjoyment of both residents and visitors. This diverse area is protected, enhanced and restored by the Raisin Region Conservation Authority.

Gray’s Creek includes 6.4 kilometers of meandering trails that are open year round, allowing users to enjoy nature in all its seasonal settings. Explore the trails and keep an eye out for the wide variety of animals, songbirds, amphibians and waterfowl that inhabit this significant Conservation Area. Geocaches are also hidden with the trail system.

For additional information on Gray’s Creek, please click here.

About The experienCity Project

The experienCity Project promotes vibrant communities and is a program of the Social Development Council of Cornwall and area. We inspire people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public space, we work to strengthen the connection between people and places. We use a collaborative process to maximize shared value to promote better urban design.

Play it safe!

We all have a part to play in combating the spread of COVID-19. Residents are encouraged to wear masks in indoor public spaces and practice frequent hand washing and physical distancing. For the latest guidelines and restrictions related to COVID-19, please visit the Eastern Ontario Health Unit website.

#exploreCornwallON

Looking for other fun things to do in Cornwall? Check out the Explore section of our website for other fun-filled activities to keep you busy. Better yet, consider extending your stay with a night at one of our great accommodations!