Lights On Stratford and Stratford Transit are again collaborating to provide festival patrons a unique and warm way to take in the light art installations.
And building off last year’s success, organizers are adding a second bus, according to a news release.
“This is a perfect example of the community coming together to create something truly special,” said Zac Gribble, executive director, Destination Stratford and festival director, Lights On Stratford.
“The free and accessible shuttle bus from last year proved to be a big hit, and this year we’re able to increase it to two buses, so there’ll be a free hop-on- hop-off bus stopping at each of the five locations every 15 minutes. We’ve also wrapped the buses and added colourful interior lighting to bring extra joy to the experience.”
The free shuttle bus service runs throughout Lights On Stratford (except for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve) and starts each evening at 5 p.m. from the Stratford Transit Terminal (with washrooms and free parking).
The shuttle buses continuously loop with additional stops including Market Square, Tom Patterson Island, the Bandshell on Veterans Drive, and Memorial Gardens at York Street. The last shuttle bus leaves the terminal each evening at 9 p.m. and returns at 9:30 p.m.
Added Michael Mousley, the city's transit manager: “The overwhelming positive response to last year’s bus shuttle and this exceptional event made it an easy choice to double the frequency to the light instalments throughout the city.”
Festival organizers said they expressed thanks for the "incredible" local support from corporate sponsors this year, including Queen’s Inn who is a Gold Sponsor supporting the free hop-on-hop-off shuttle bus program.
“Lights On Stratford does an incredible job shining a light on our heritage downtown and encouraging residents and visitors to fully explore our city,” said Dan Mathieson of Stratford Hospitality Developments, “and so it was a natural sponsorship fit with our upcoming revitalization plans for the Queen’s Inn and its historic place as an 1858 iconic city building.”
Interactive displays are up nightly Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. The 4th annual Lights On Stratford is free to the public and set to launch on Dec. 15 until Jan. 13.
Visit lightsonstratford.ca for more details.
