Sunshine Village Sparks the Lions Festival of Lights for 26 Years

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Nov. 30, 2012) - This year marks the 26^th anniversary of the Scurfield family stepping forward to revive the Lions Festival of Lights, Calgary's largest free Christmas lights display. Mayor Naheed Nenshi will spark up the lights this Saturday, Dec 1st at Confederation Park Golf Course, on 14^th St. N.W. in Calgary, with the official kickoff starting at 5 p.m.

When the Lions Festival of Lights needed a new key sponsor back in 1987, Sunshine Village and the Scurfield family donated $100,000 to ensure the festival was revived. Their donations over the years now exceed $330,000.

"Calgary is such an important and valued market for us at Sunshine Village, and the Lions Festival of Lights is a great way to thank Calgarians for their continued support," said Ralph D. Scurfield, President and principal owner of Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort.

The festival is organized by the Lions Festival of Lights Society, and Lions from Calgary and area donate their time to construct the displays.

The Lions Festival of Lights is the largest free drive-by Christmas lights showcase in Calgary. It is comprised of almost 101,000 lights along 14^th street N.W. This year, volunteers have converted 90 per cent of the light bulb display from conventional incandescent bulbs to energy saving LEDs.

The lights will be illuminated daily from 7 p.m. to midnight Dec 1, 2012 until Jan 8, 2013. Nearly 53,000 people per day are expected to view the display.

Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort

Sunshine Village, close to the town of Banff, provides skiers and boarders with 12-lifts including seven modern high speed quad chairs, the most in the Canadian Rockies, and one of the world's fastest 8 passenger gondolas. Stay slope-side in the Rockies only "ski-in ski-out" hotel and ski or ride 3,300 acres and three mountains in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia along the Continental Divide during Canada's longest season from November to late May. For more information visit www.skibanff.com.