In 1860 the first attempt to light the Falls at night was attempted. A visit from the Prince of Wales inspired the lighting celebration. Approximately 200 coloured and white calcium, torpedo lights were placed along the banks above and below the American Falls, and behind the water of the Horseshoe Falls. The lights on the Falls were ignited along with rockets, spinning wheels and other types of fireworks.
The first electrical application of the illumination of the Falls was in January 1879 during a visit from the Marquis of Lorne, Governor General of Canada and his wife Princess Louise. In July 1879 the Prospect Park generating station located in Niagara Falls New York lit the up the Falls, however the lights were only used for one season.
In 1892, Frank LeBlond, one of the owners of the Maid of the Mist, used candlepower light that was placed on the Canadian dock of the Maid of the Mist to light the American Falls. In 1907 W. D’Arcy Ryan of the General Electric Company designed a lighting system that provided more power to illuminate the Falls than experienced before. A combination of 36 projectors and candlepower ran for several weeks.
Many attempts to keep the Niagara Falls illumination going until the Niagara Falls Illumination Board was created in 1925. This group financed, and installed a permanment lighting system. Today, many groups come together to finance the illumination and fireworks, Niagara Parks Commission, BIA’s (Business Improvement Associations) and Niagara Falls Tourism work together to continue this legacy.
FREE NIAGARA FALLS FIREWORKS
Enjoy spectacular fireworks displays explode high over the mighty Falls! You can enjoy them while skating at the TD RINK at the Brink, from many local restaurants, or from the comfort of your hotel room. Fireworks over The Falls are supported by the Fallsview Casino Resort.
2013 Fireworks Schedule:
From May 17th until September 1st 2013, every Friday, Sunday and holidays at 10 p.m.
Special fireworks display on Victoria Day Monday May 20th!
Come early on fireworks evenings to enjoy free Coca Cola concerts at 8 p.m!
The best views are from the Table Rock, right at the brink of the Horseshoe Falls!
All performances take place at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
All dates and times subject to change and dependent upon weather and wind conditions.
The implementation of the fireworks is a joint effort. Niagara Parks Commission looks after the fireworks in the Summer time and the Winter Festival of Lights looks after the fireworks from November to January.
2013 SUMMER ILLUMINATION SCHEDULE
Illumination of the Falls has been Financed and Operated by the Niagara Falls Illumination Board since 1925.
| Jan 1 to Jan 31 | 5:00 p.m. – Midnight |
| Feb 1 to Feb 28 | 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| *Mar 1 - Mar 9 Mon. - Thurs. | 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| *Mar 10 – Mar 31 Mon. - Thurs. | 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| *Apr 1 – Apr 30 Mon – Thurs | 8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. |
| May 1 - Aug 15 | 9:00 p.m. – Midnight |
| Aug 16 – Sept 30 | 8:30 p.m. – Midnight |
| Oct 1 - Nov 1 | 7:00 p.m. – Midnight |
| Nov 1 - Dec 30 | 5:00 p.m. – Midnight |
| Dec 31 | 5:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. |
(*Fridays to Sundays only in March & April, off time is Midnight)
Note: Illumination times are approximate and subject to change according to light conditions.
Color request illuminations for 2013.
Event Date |
| Event | Colour(s) |
2013 | |||
Feb. 1 |
| American Heart Association - Wear Red Day | Red |
Feb. 2 |
| The Brown Byrd Prostate Cancer Awareness Observance Day | Teal (Blue/Green) |
Feb. 9 |
| Niagara University - Alumni Winter Sports Weekend | Purple |
| Apr. 29 |
| World Wish Day | Blue/Green |
| May 1 | Buhler Inc. Grain Milling sponsoring the International Association of Operative Millers | Blue/Green | |
| May 6 |
| Light it Orange for Melanoma Monday | Orange |
| May 10 |
| World Lupus Day | Red & White |
| May 12 |
| International Awareness Day for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis & Fibromyalgia | Blue/Purple |
| May 17 |
| Lyme Disease Awareness Month | Green |
| May 18 |
| American Cancer Society Relay for Life | Purple |
| May 18 |
| Mental Health Awareness Month | Green |
| May 24 |
| National Schizophrenia & Psychosis Awareness Day | Purple |
| May 29 |
| World MS day | Red |
| June 2 |
| Italian Heritage Month | Green, White & Red |
| June 2 |
| American Cancer Society's 100th Birthday & National Cancer Survivors Day | Purple |
| June 3 |
| Pride Week in Niagara | Rainbow |
| June 7 | Canadian College of Health Leaders | Red & Blue | |
| June 21 |
| National Aboriginal Day | Amber, Red, Blue & White |
| June 24 |
| Canadian Blood Services | Red |
| June 29 |
| HHT Awareness Month | Blue & Red |
| Sept. 1 |
| Childhood Cancer Awareness Month | Amber |
| Sept .10 |
| World Suicide Awareness Day | Amber |
| Sept.15 |
| World Lymphoma Awareness Day | Red |
| Oct. 12 |
| NU - Alumni Weekend | Purple |
| Nov. 12 |
| National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month | Purple |
| Nov. 16 |
| Make Some Noise for Lung Cancer Awareness | White |
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