THANK YOU + Photos: Light Up Riverside 2018

Despite the light rain that fell all day, Light Up Riverside was a success!

It was a great event full of great moments at our annual tree lighting. It was inspiring to once again see the Mustard Seed Courtyard packed with kids, smiling faces, and lovely meeting and catching up with so many of our neighbours and friends.

BIG THANKS to our 2018 Light Up Riverside co-sponsors: BIA members Baird MacGregor who served up hot drinks and warm smiles and Gillis & Kennedy RE/MAX for the amazing gift basket prize!

Riverside Light Up 2018

THANK YOU to our hosts at Fontbonne Ministries for welcoming us again to their courtyard and cozy indoor area. We lit up the beautiful 15-foot real tree and decked out the courtyard 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 Ron Fletcher with the Jack Memorial Korman Award for 2018, presented by our BIA Chair Mitch and his young daughter (3rd generation of Riverside BIA!). Ron, a former Riverside BIA Chair, he’s been a continuous helping hand throughout the years with his knowledge and historical background! In 2018, specifically, he put together our Film Walk for the Doors Open Toronto!

Our always supportive local politicians, Councillor Paula Fletcher, MPP Peter Tabuns and MP Julie Dabrusin, brave the rain and came out to meet & greet the community.

We had a photobooth, a Reindeer and lots of crafts for kids, the Toronto Beach Chorale warmed us up with Christmas songs and their beautiful voices. Thanks to The Opera House Grill for donating hot chicken noodle soup, already a staple in the event and always a success.

Thank you Drew Dopwell, for fixing the electrical glitches during the rain and making sure we had an amazing light up moment!

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 Aurora Micha and Chelsea Jorge from the York University.

Thanks to everyone in the community who came out to take part, and provide donations to Mustard Seed and enjoy the memories! All photos from Giancarlo Pawelec | Pawelec Photos.

Light Up Riverside 2018

Toronto Beach Chorale

Light Up Riverside 2018

Light Up Co-sponsors, Gillis & Kennedy RE/MAX (Patrick Gillis and Dianna Kennedy)

Light Up Riverside 2018

Light Up Co-sponsor, Baird MacGregor Insurance LP

Light Up Riverside 2018

Chicken Noodle Soup from The Opera House Grill, thank you!

Light Up Riverside 2018

Thanks to our Volunteers from George Brown School of ESL

Light Up Riverside 2018

Photobooth

Light Up Riverside 2018
Light Up Riverside 2018

Mitch, Riverside BIA Chair, and family

Light Up Riverside 2018

Julie Dabrusin, MP

Light Up Riverside 2018

Aurora and volunteers from George Brown School of ESL

Light Up Riverside 2018

Kids Crafts

Light Up Riverside 2018

Handmade Christmas cards and garlands for selling inside Mustard Seed.

Light Up Riverside 2018
Light Up Riverside 2018

Ben Vozzolo, Executive Director of Mustard Seed

Light Up Riverside 2018

Ron Fletcher, former BIA chair, historian and active volunteer in the community!

Light Up Riverside 2018

Lucky winner of the basket from Gillis & Kennedy!

Light Up Riverside 2018

Drew, responsible for our light up and saving us from all the electrical glitches! You were amazing, thank you!!

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