A new event has been announced for Mission to celebrate first responders and post-COVID reopening.
Shine Bright Mission is tenatively set for Friday, March 3 and takes place along First Avenue. Funding comes from a federal grant of $123,750 from Heritage Canada through the Commemorate Canada – Reopening Fund.
Throughout the month, there will be 16 small light displays, all of which will be custom designed to represent a community organization, landmark or local connection.
One display will be designed by a youth or child, with contest submissions being accepted until Sept. 23.
The opening-night celebration will feature live entertainment, free activities, a static parade and more.
“Mission is grateful to receive this grant because it will truly give Mission a chance to shine,” said Mayor Paul Horn. “It will be exciting to see our downtown core illuminated by displays as we come out of our long and dark winter, especially because they will be represented by local community groups and citizens.”
In 2020, the City of Mission initiated the I Love Mission campaign with a group of dedicated community partners as a way to support businesses and residents during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign was driven by the mandate of shopping, eating, and supporting local. It included workshops on digital transformation for small businesses, playlists of local music, special movie nights and “Menus and Melodies” – a restaurant and musician partnership.
The Shine Bright Mission event is the culmination of this work and an important chapter in the I Love Mission initiative as the community reopens.
“As a city, we are very fortunate to have the I Love Mission program led by community leaders and staff who identify grant opportunities like this one,” Horn said.
“There is a considerable amount of work behind every successful application, so we say thank you to everyone who made this happen.”
I Love Mission partners include the City of Mission, Mission Downtown Business Association, Mission Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures North Fraser, The Junction Shopping Centre, What’s On! Mission Magazine, and Mission City Record.
“Advocating for federal investments to be made here at home includes supporting our local artists and I am thrilled to see results,” said Brad Vis, MP for Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon. “The City of Mission is filled with incredible talent and the first ever Shine Bright Mission is sure to be a success.”
Visit the City of Mission website (mission.ca) and look under “news and updates” for more information and a link for contest submissions.