STANLEY PARK, VANCOUVER, Nov. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - With Christmas just around the corner preparations for the 15th Annual Bright Nights in Stanley Park are well underway. Bright Nights in Stanley Park is an annual tradition for many families in the Lower Mainland and has seen visitors from as far away as England.
Santa's elves have been working diligently for the past several months in order to transform Stanley Park into a captivating and dazzling lighting display complete with music, sweet snacks, entertainment and, of course, Santa Claus himself. 'It's sure to delight kids, both young and old," chuckles Ray Boucher, Burn Fund Director and Chair of the Bright Nights Committee. When asked how he and his team were able to manage the sheer volume of light display enthusiasts, Ray replied, "We want to make certain that everyone is able to enjoy this event, and having had such an overwhelming show of visitors in the past, we've extended our weekend hours until 11PM. Our matinees are also available every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday in December from 11AM-3PM."
Over 200,000 visitors attend the event annually and that number is growing. "We are exceptionally pleased with the support of the public and our Sponsors. Over 600 fire fighters contribute more than 8,000 hours over the 3 month period of Set-Up, Operations and Tear Down so it is a monumental undertaking of combined efforts to make this event successful," says Ray Boucher. "The funds raised will make a huge difference to burn survivors and their families in our province."
The monies raised through donations in our bins go directly to the Burn Fund, which provides life saving, life supporting and life enriching services to the people in BC. More than 3,800 professional fire fighters around the province dedicate their time and skills to support burn survivors. They increase the public's knowledge about fire and burn safety through its Burn Awareness, Research and Prevention programs.
The Burn Fund encourages visitors to show their generosity by bringing food items for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. Food bins will be on-site near the front gate. Most needed items include: canned meat/fish; natural peanut butter; whole wheat pasta/rice; pasta sauce; canned fruits/vegetables; 100% fruit juices; low-sugar cereals; baby food, formula & diapers. www.foodbank.bc.ca
The joint event of the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund and the Vancouver Park Board is open from November 29/12 - January 1/13, Sun-Thurs 3-10PM and Fri/Sat 3-11PM. In addition to the weekend hours Bright Nights will also offer special matinees every Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday in December from 11:00AM - 3:00PM.
Advance tickets at Ticketmaster 1-855-985-5000 or www.ticketmaster.ca . Same day tickets available, starting November 29th, at the on-site Miniature Railway Box Office in Stanley Park from 12:00pm, 604-257-8531.
For more information about the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund, or to make a donation, please visit www.burnfund.org
Image with caption: "Twinkling lights reflect stunning brilliance from the pond surface at Bright Nights in Stanley Park. (CNW Group/British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121105_C5058_PHOTO_EN_20190.jpg
SOURCE: British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund
Nola Laubach, Media and Sponsorship
BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund
604-436-5617
[email protected]
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