| |
City of Miramichi Overall Winner
of WinterLights Celebrations 2007- 08
in
10,001- 50,000 population category
Recognition for Rotary Club of Newcastle Pond Hockey Tournament
Margaret Stinson and Angela Vieth, two volunteer national judges,
will evaluate the City of Miramichi
on December 9-10, 2008
in the Winners Circle Category.
In 2007, Miramichi Communities in Bloom registered to compete in their first edition of WinterLights Celebrations and the committee was very pleased to not only achieve a five-star rating, the highest rating available from the program, but to also be chosen as the overall national winner in their population category. Ted Blowes and Arlene Swedberg, 2007 volunteer judges commented that, “…the City of Miramichi embraces winter with both mittens.”
For information on the national WinterLights Celebrations program, please go to: www.winterlights.ca
How can Miramichi residents get involved?
Judges will be visiting residential areas throughout the city during their visit to view our seasonal spirit. Be sure to have your decorations and lights ready for December 9-10, 2008. The judges will be visiting different venues during their stay, extend them a warm Miramichi welcome at the events. Email any questions or suggestions to: cib@miramichi.org
For our first year in the WinterLights Celebrations, the volunteer committee was comprised of Business Administration students enrolled at NBCC Miramichi. A group of 15 students organized and prepared to showcase the city during the judges’ visit. The students were also recognized by the New Brunswick Tourism and Parks and the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick during the 2008 Tourism Excellence and Innovation Awards.
On Friday May 2nd tourism operators from around the province gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the industry and to recognize the efforts of their peers at the 2008 New Brunswick Tourism Excellence and Innovation Awards. Students from New Brunswick Community College Miramichi were on hand to accept an honorable mention in the creative partnerships category for their work on the WinterLights project in partnership with the City of Miramichi Communities in Bloom initiative. The group had received national recognition earlier in the year at the Winter Lights Awards/Symposium in Saint John earning top spot in their population category with special recognition for the Miramichi Rotary Club Pond Hockey Tournament hosted annually in the city.
The Tourism Excellence and Innovation Awards celebrate the achievements of the businesses, operators and organizations that capitalize on New Brunswick's natural wonders, rich heritage and cultural diversity, in order to create outstanding tourism experiences. The awards recognize exceptional performance in product development, marketing and creative partnerships.
WinterLights is the winter program of Communities in Bloom that was created in 2001 to encourage communities to showcase winter activities, festive celebrations and visual decorations that will increase Canada’s appeal as a winter tourist destination and improve the quality of life in communities across the country. The program was initiated with the help of the Canadian Tourism Commission and promotes the involvement and actions of citizens and volunteers of all ages, the municipal government, service organizations, industry and commerce. Municipalities participate by population categories. There is also a special category for past winners.
Trained volunteer judges travel across Canada in late November and December to evaluate registered communities in five key criteria:
VISUAL PRESENTATION
The Visual Presentation category evaluates the illumination and decoration of public buildings, open spaces, institutional, industrial, central business and commercial areas, and a representation of illuminated and decoration of residential properties and streetscapes.
The 2007 judges were thoroughly impressed with the way the residents of the community participate(decorations and lights) in a high quality fashion. The judges also noted the commercial and industrial areas have bought into the seasonal decorating. Special congratulations to the Newcastle Business District on their window decorating contest. – Ted Blowes and Arlene Swedberg
WINTER PLEASURES
The Winter Pleasures category evaluates outdoor and indoors activities and events such as winter festivals, carnivals, ice sculptures, snow sculptures, ice skating, ice fishing derbies, winter sports competitions, family and youth activities and gourmet/game food events that promote outdoor and indoor activities that take place November 1st to March 31. Emphasis is placed on events that include a heritage/cultural component highlighting the cultural diversity of the community.
The 2007 judges were thoroughly impressed with the Rotary Club of Newcastle's Pond Hockey Tournament which not only offers a venue for local citizens but also to out of town visitors. – Ted Blowes and Arlene Swedberg
FESTIVE SEASON CELEBRATIONS
The Festive Season Celebrations category evaluates indoor and outdoor events such as choir festivals, tree lighting ceremonies, concerts, sleigh rides, festive performing and visual arts programs, candlelight walks, Santa Claus parades, carol singing, heritage and family events during the holiday season.
The 2007 judges were pleased to see the carol singers from the different churches singing in the streets as well as the horse-drawn wagon rides (Historic Chatham Business District). Well Done! – Ted Blowes and Arlene Swedberg
GOODWILL PROGRAMS
The Goodwill Programs category evaluates the overall betterment of quality of life and enhanced lifestyles through the development and participation of goodwill programs by all sectors including the interaction and inclusions of seniors, youth, minorities and less privileged. Spirit of Giving and goodwill programs may include food bank support, turkey drives, fundraisers…
The Turkey Drive sponsored by Brunswick Drivers Training Ltd. and the Kinsmen Club in cooperation with Tim Horton’s, raising ten thousand dollars for the toys for children are two outstanding accomplishments. – Ted Blowes and Arlene Swedberg
TOURISM & PROMOTION
The Tourism and Promotion category focuses on “Showcasing your Community” to encourage participation by local residents and tourists to enjoy all that the winter season has to offer in your community.
The 2007 judges were pleased to see the City promoting tourism products such as snowmobile packages, winter day adventures, getaway packages and spa packages etc. By working with the province of New Brunswick on these different initiatives, the City of Miramichi is ensuring a viable Winter Tourism economy in the future. – Ted Blowes and Arlene Swedberg
The symposium and awards ceremony, hosted by different municipalities across Canada each year, is held early the following year. In 2009 the event will be hosted by Prince George, British Columbia and Charlottetown, PEI in 2010.
Program Benefits
Communities will be able to recognize numerous benefits from participation in the WinterLights program, including:
- Increased winter tourism.
- Increased civic pride and community involvement.
- Participation from all ages and walks of life.
- Mobilization of citizens, community groups, local government and businesses.
- Information exchange and networking with other WinterLights communities.
- Increased quality of life.
- Increased impact on the hospitality and retail industries.
- National recognition on the WinterLights website.
The Miramichi WinterLights committee would like to thank its volunteers, partners and sponsors for their continued support:
- City of Miramichi
- New Brunswick Tourism and Parks
- Enterprise Miramichi
- Rodd Miramichi River Hotel
- Rotary Club of Newcastle
- Rotary Club of Chatham
- DowntownS Miramichi – Historic Chatham Business District and Newcastle Business District
- Miramichi Regional Tourism Association
- NBCC Miramichi
- Miramichi Cross Country Ski Club
- Retirement Miramichi Inc.
- Miramichi Kinsmen
- O’Donaghues Pub
- Mighty Miramichi
|
