RIVER LIGHTS OPENING NIGHT NOV 15TH
River Lights Opening Night is a great opportunity to experience dazzling light displays, festive music, and interactive activities, creating a magical time for families to kick off the holiday season!
The evening begins with the Super Santa 5K run/walk/wheel, continuing into the traditional tree lighting ceremony, carollers, hot chocolate, fireworks, and more!
Join us for the magical event on Saturday, November 15th in downtown Amherstburg.
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING OPENING NIGHT
Event Schedule:
- 5:00pm: Super Santa Run/Walk/Wheel – cheer on the racers downtown
- 5:30pm: Walker Aggregates Gingerbread Warming House opens in Toddy Jones Park
- 5:30pm: Hot chocolate at the Clock Tower
- 6:00pm: Tree lighting ceremony at the Clock Tower
- 6:20pm: Fireworks over the river – watch from King’s Navy Yard Park
- 6:45pm: Sisters of Choice perform holiday tunes behind the Commissariat
Park House Museum Opening Night Hours: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
- Join Park House Museum for Opening Night as they offer fresh mulled cider prepared on the historic hearth, along with fresh popcorn! Admission is by donation and the gift shop will be open. Stop by during your view of the lights, grab a warm treat, and experience a piece of Amherstburg’s history!
Provincial Marine of Amherstburg at The Commissariat
Opening Night Hours: 6:45pm – 7:55pm
- Storyteller Seamus Gunn will enchant guests with a magical Yuletide tale that’s more than 400 years old! Performances will take place at 6:45pm, 7:20pm, and 7:55pm sharp at The Commissariat (224 Dalhousie Street). Seating is limited – arrive early!
“When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore, twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty
That good ship and true was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early”
“The captain wired in he had water coming in
And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night, when the lights went out of sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”
November 10th recognized the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a Great Lakes freighter that sank during a severe storm in Lake Superior resulting in the loss of all 29 crew members. The Fitzgerald is very much a local story: Built in Detroit. Crewed by local men. Sailed by Amherstburg many times. And annually, the Mariners Church in Detroit tolls their bell 30 times to honour the men and their ship.
“In a rusty old hall in Detroit
In the Maritime Sailors’ Cathedral
The church bells chimed till it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald”
To commemorate the 50th anniversary, we are carrying the excellent new book The Gales of November — the untold story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon.
This is one of my favourite reads of the year. The back story of the tragedy is so interesting, and every time I hear “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot, this local tragedy comes back to me.
—Richard Peddie, Bibliophile
BONES IN OUR BODIES STORY TIME
This week at Story Time we will learn about the bones in our bodies and the role of a doctor when local Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Adam Ropchan joins us at Story Time.
Come join us for this fun and informative reading from one of our Story Time guests, who is now a reader. Story Time takes place at 11AM at River Bookshop on Sundays.
WELCOME TO THE BLOCK, LITTLE MISCHIEF
A magical beginning … Beth England from Evelyn’s Candy House is thrilled to share her passion for creating joyful experiences with the opening of Little Mischief. At Little Mischief, every piece is thoughtfully chosen to bring comfort, style, and joy to growing families.
So much to see and do in Amherstburg!
We hope to see you downtown this weekend.
The River Bookshop Team