It was a beautiful evening full of magical moments at our annual tree lighting event Light Up Riverside. It was inspiring to once again see the Mustard Seed Courtyard packed with smiling faces, and lovely meeting and catching up with so many of our neighbours and friends. BIG THANKS to our 2017 Light Up Riverside co-sponsors: BIA members Baird MacGregor and Gillis & Kennedy RE/MAX who served up hot drinks and warm smiles!
THANK YOU to our hosts at Fontbonne Ministries for welcoming us again to their wonderful space. We lit up the beautiful 16 foot real tree, and decked out the court yard with hundreds of lights and decorations, which will grace Riverside and Mustard Seed until January.
We were happy to have this opportunity to recognize our fabulous Riverside volunteer Giancarlo Pawelec with the Jack Memorial Korman Award for 2017, presented by our BIA Chair Mitch and his young daughter (3rd generation of Riverside BIA!). Giancarlo, who also owns Riverside business PAWELECphoto and HeadshotsTO, was also our photographer for the evening (enjoy his photos below!).
Our always supportive local politicians, Councillor Paula Fletcher, MPP Peter Tabuns and MP Julie Dabrusin, came out to meet & greet.
We had a visit from Santa, and the Toronto Beach Chorale warmed us up with their always beautiful voices. Thanks to The Opera House Grill for donating hot chicken noodle soup. Special thanks to Saulter Street Brewery for making a special effort as the Light Up After Party location! Last but not least, none of this would have happened without the support of our many volunteers from George Brown School of ESL, as well as our BIA Marketing Committee, BIA office staff, and interns.
Thanks to everyone in the community who came out to take part, and provide donations to Nellie’s.
Enjoy the memories! (p.s. if you see your photo and would like a high res copy, please email us at marketing@riverside-to.com)
Toronto Beach Chorale
Presenting Jack Korman Memorial Award to Giancarlo Pawelec (Left to right: Councillor Fletcher, Giancarlo, Jennifer Lay, Mitch Korman, Mitch’s daughter)
Light Up Co-sponsor, Dylan Luft, of Baird MacGregor Insurance LP
Light Up Co-sponsors, Gillis & Kennedy RE/MAX (Patrick Gillis and Dianna Kennedy at Left)
Left to Right: Councillor Paula Fletch, MPP Peter Tabuns, MP Julie Dabrusin, Riverside BIA Executive Director Jennifer Lay
Community members enjoying the choir and the ligths
Community members enjoying the sounds of Toronto Beach Chorale
Councillor Paula Fletcher
Kids crafting!
Riverside BIA Chair Mitch Korman and his son (3rd generation of Riverside BIA 🙂
Riverside BIA Executive Direction, Jennifer Lay
Thanks to our Volunteers from George Brown School of ESL
Light Up Riverside Co-sponsors from Gillis & Kennedy and Baird MacGregor, with Santa
Riverside BIA ED, Jennifer Lay, with former Riverside BIA ED and life-long Riverside friend and supporter, Anjuli Solanki
