What is Earth Hour?
Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) that unites people to protect the planet. This year in 2015, Earth Hour will take place on Saturday, March 28th, between 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm.
Earth Hour was famously started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then it has grown to engage more than 7000 cities and towns worldwide, and the one-hour event continues to this day on a much larger scale. People across the world are encouraged to participate for this short amount of time, as hundreds of millions of people will switch off their lights in a global celebration of their commitment to protect the planet.
It is celebrated on the second to last weekend of March because it is around the time of the Spring and Autumn equinoxes in the northern and southern hemispheres. This allows for near coincidental sunset times in both hemispheres, ensuring the greatest visual impact for a global ‘lights out’ event.
Earth Hour in Niagara Falls will see that the Niagara Falls Illumination Board has the illumination turned off during that hour for both the American and Horseshoe Falls.
Here are 5 things to do for Earth Hour in Niagara Falls to focus on your commitment to helping the environment:
Have a Candlelight Dinner
There are several restaurants in Niagara Falls that will be celebrating this event with candlelight dinners. Call around and find a place participating in Earth Day festivities and doing their part.
For example, Southbrook Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake is celebrating their second annual “Earth Hour Winemakers Dinner” from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. This is a 3-course meal with wine pairings by candle light. Proceeds help support Nature Canada’s efforts to conserve and protect Monarch butterflies in Canada.
The cost is $110/person and you can register online by emailing: events@southbrook.com or by telephone: 905-641 2548.
Go on a Ghostwalk
This one is among the list of things to do in Niagara Falls this weekend. Every Saturday evening in March from 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm you can experience ghost walks in Canada’s Most Haunted Town! This tour begins at “the Haunted Shop” at 126 Queen Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake and features the old town and the many stories of ghosts and dark history.
Detailing the rich stories fitting of such a historically dark place, including the ghost of an angry soldier at The Angel, the violent legend on the shores of Lake Ontario, and a house that makes cameras go crazy.
This also includes stops outside the Niagara-on-the-Lake Courthouse, Prince of Wales Hotel, Apothecary, Royal George Theatre.
Stories of séances, town secrets, legends in the birth place of our nation and the violent heart of the only war fought on Canadian soil.
Prices:
Adults: $13.00
Children (13 and Under): $5.00
Seniors (60 and over): $10.00
For more information and for tickets sales, visit www.ghostwalks.com
While you’re already creeped out — head to Nightmares Fear Factory!
The Nightmare Fear Factory is the most famous of Niagara Falls’ haunted houses. You are completely led through in the dark to fend for yourself. Visit your nightmare if you dare and become closer than ever to your friends and family during Earth Hour in Niagara Falls!
Stargaze
This is the perfect opportunity for nature lovers and photographers to set up by the Niagara Falls with your cameras in Queen Victoria Park or the Oakes Garden Theatre for a unique moment in time, in order to capture complete darkness above the majestic Falls.
Go for a walk
Use this opportunity to get out and get some exercise, or head down and see us on Clifton Hill for some ice cream at Sweets N Treats. Grab a special treat at the Fantasy Fudge Factory to enjoy as you wander around. Or sit! We have plenty of benches lined up and down Niagara’s most entertaining hill — we cater to the young and old, the energetic and the relaxed folk. Grab a coffee at our Tim Hortons and take a load off in our SkyWheel Courtyard (as seen below).
For more information on Earth Hour, visit www.earthhour.org
Christine Lynn
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