Romantic Carriage Rides At Alight At Night
Candy Pollard

Looking to add a little romance to the upcoming holiday season? Upper Canada Village’s popular Alight at Night Festival provides an idyllic backdrop for an enchanting evening of romance and fun, especially when seen while riding on board the Village’s “Pommier Carriage”. This one-of-a-kind experience in a private horse-drawn carriage ride for two, has become such a hot ticket item (selling out each year), that a second Pommier Carriage has been added to the festival’s roster this year.

Introduced four years ago to the Alight at Night Festival, rides on the first Pommier Carriage were an overnight success. The carriage was aptly named after its sponsor, Pommier Jewellers of Cornwall, who recognized the fit for this family-run business from the onset. The holiday season is an important time for jewellers, particularly in the romance department, and according to shop owner André Pommier, “partnering with Upper Canada Village in providing a complementary romantic experience during such a special time of year has made perfect sense”. In fact, the jeweller has eagerly sponsored the Village’s second Pommier Carriage, which will allow the Village to keep up with the demand for this unique holiday experience.

The St. Lawrence Parks Commission, which operates Upper Canada Village, is equally enthusiastic about the sponsorship. “We are thrilled to see the tremendous growth of Alight at Night, and are very appreciative of our strong partnership with Pommier Jewellers, that has resulted in such a sought-after holiday experience,” says CEO Pat Macdonald.

The partnership between Pommier Jewellers and Upper Canada Village is truly a win-win situation all round. Ask any of the staff who drive the Pommier Carriage during Alight at Night. They have a number of stories to share, not only of young couples getting engaged under the lights while snuggled up on the Pommier Carriage, but of visitors booking the carriage to celebrate their anniversaries, a birthday, or simply the romance of the season itself. In addition, many of the hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area offer romantic overnight getaways that include Alight at Night and a ride in the Pommier Carriage.

The cost to book a Romantic Carriage Ride for Two in the Pommier Carriage is only $65 per couple, which includes a “Gourmet Departing Gift for Two” which features include Village Bread and Cheese, and sparkling apple cider. As a special offer this year, couples who select to book their carriage ride on a Monday through Thursday falling between November 27 and December 11th, will receive $10.00 off the price. Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance, by calling 1-800-437-2233 or 613-543-4328.

Upper Canada Village’s Alight at Night Festival is one of the largest outdoor lighting extravaganzas in Ontario, with over 40 heritage buildings, trees and fences across a 60 acre site. Now entering its 8th season, the festival has grown to include a number of holiday-themed activities such as old-fashioned horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides, outdoor skating, toy train rides, specialty shopping, festive dining, and more; the Village aims to have something new introduced at the event each season. To find out more about this year’s Alight at Night event and what more is in store this year, visit www.AlightatNight.ca.

For information on other news and upcoming events in Cornwall and Seaway Valley, click on the following links:

• Other Candy Reports
• Calendar of Events