November 6, 2014
Media Release – for immediate release
15th Year for Sainte-Marie’s spectacular “First Light” Event
The famous “First Light” event at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons heads into its 15th year in 2014, lighting the historic site with over 5,000 candles the evenings of November 27, 28, and 29.
Rated a “Top 100 Event” in Ontario, First Light creates a magical evening by candlelight, and features a host of family activities, music, artisans, and much more.
In Sainte-Marie’s foyer, a short presentation in the theatres will welcome visitors to the event, and three seasonal craft stations will be set up for lots of hands-on fun for children. As visitors enter the historic site by candlelit paths, they’ll encounter the fascinating “Survival In The Bush” historical encampment at the main gates. Still more interactive activities await with quill pen writing of greeting cards in the Jesuit Residence, and a holiday craft in the Carpenter Shop. Little folks will love meeting farm animals “Baa” and “Donk”, and the smells and tastes of the season will fill the historic Cookhouse. La Clé d’la Baie, Festival du Loup, Éco-Huronie, and The Métis Nation of Ontario will offer interactive crafts, and information regarding The Karma Project (a local sustainable food initiative) will also be on display on the historic site. The sounds of musket drill will accent the night courtesy of re-enactor groups La Compagnie Franche de la Marine and Compagnie de Portneuf who’ll also be serving up hot chocolate.
Music has always been a big feature of the First Light event and this year will offer a great line-up of performers. The colourful Doug Feaver will perform his energetic selection of historic folk music, as well as enchanting harpist Ruth Sutherland who will fill the evening with beautiful melodies. Two wandering singing groups “Mix ‘n Match” and the Mink-Rice brothers will delight the crowd with superb seasonal renditions, and popular Franco-Ontarian performers Vince Therrien and Michel Payment will share folk and festive music on the historic site. Great toe-tapping entertainment will be provided by La Famille Lefaive and Jill et les Bucherons at a French Café in Restaurant Sainte-Marie. Inspiring First Nations singing and drumming will resonate in Sainte-Marie’s famous longhouses, performed by the Christian Island Hand Drumming and Singing Group and the Red Spirit Drumming and Singing Group. A great selection of community choirs will also entertain at the event, including The Little Treble Makers, Le Choeur d’la Clé, and the O.P.P. Chorus.
For some early Christmas shopping, 21 exceptional artisans will be in the Sainte-Marie Museum offering a wide array of quality gift items.
First Light will be presented at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons evenings November 27, 28, and 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission is $10.00 per person with a non-perishable food item. Children ages 5 and under are free. For information call (705) 526-7838 or visit www.hhp.on.ca.
Special Notes:
Overflow parking will be available at Doral Industries, 100 Wye Valley Road and at the Martyrs’ Shrine east entrance across from the Sainte-Marie entrance road. Free shuttle buses will run to Sainte-Marie from these locations throughout each evening.
Please be advised that with the exception of service animals, pets are not
allowed on the historic site for this event.
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is operated by Huronia Historical Parks,
and is an Attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport.
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Media Contact:
Bill Brodeur
Coordinator,
Marketing and Media Relations
Huronia Historical Parks
Direct Line: (705) 528-7692
E-mail: bill.brodeur@ontario.ca
