Earth Hour: Turn down the power and turn up the fun

Celebrate Earth Hour with Toronto Hydro for a chance to win a $100 Visa prepaid card

TORONTO, March 24, 2015 /CNW/ - Turning the lights out doesn't mean you can't have a good time.  Toronto Hydro is encouraging Torontonians to celebrate Earth Hour by "going off the grid" and throwing an Earth Hour party.

Gather your friends together on March 28 between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to show your love for the environment and share photos online through Twitter using the hashtag #EarthHourTO for a chance to win a Visa prepaid card. You can also follow us on Twitter to get updates on the load drop in real time.

Earth Hour is a global environmental initiative in partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which asks individuals, businesses, governments and communities to turn off their lights to show their support for environmentally sustainable action.

Party-planners can download the Earth Hour party kit from Toronto Hydro.  This kit includes conservation tips, recipes and four different themes to take the fuss out of hosting:

• Classy cocktail – Serve up Michelin star-worthy hors d'oeuvres
• Penny pincher – Drop your electricity load, not your whole wallet
• Zombie Apocalypse – Party like it's your last night on earth
• Kid-friendly – All ages fun and food that kids will actually eat

Five winners will be randomly selected from the photos submitted.  Each will receive a $100 Visa prepaid card.

QUICK FACTS

• Earth Hour began in 2007 in Australia
• Toronto Hydro wants to achieve a 10 per cent "load drop"
• In 2014, Toronto achieved a 6 per cent load drop
• The most successful Earth Hour Toronto campaign took place in 2009 when the city achieved a 15.1 per cent load drop
• Only turn off non-essential lighting, appliances and devices, and do not leave candles unattended.

QUOTES

"Toronto Hydro is serious about power conservation and the environment, but we want people to have fun celebrating Earth Hour.  This contest is encouraging people to unplug their lives for a short time, while getting together with friends and family."
-       Anthony Haines, President and CEO, Toronto Hydro

CONTEST RULES

Visit here to read all the contest rules torontohydro.com/earthhour

ABOUT TORONTO HYDRO

Toronto Hydro owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 740,000 customers located in the city of Toronto. It is the largest municipal electricity distribution company in Canada and distributes approximately 18% of the electricity consumed in the province of Ontario.

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SOURCE Toronto Hydro Corporation

Tori Gass, 416-903-4037, [email protected]; 24-hours media line: 416-903-6845, [email protected]