Welcoming The World To Buffalo

This year in Buffalo, the tradition of beautiful lighting displays will not have to come to an end with the holiday season.

In honor of the ten countries that will be participating in the 2011 IIHF U20 World Junior Hockey Championships, the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority and the Buffalo Sabres have collaborated on a massive lighting display that will illuminate the Peace Bridge for the twelve days of the World Juniors tournament.

"The Authority is excited to see the World Junior Championships come to Buffalo and expects many fans to cross the Peace Bridge on their way to and from games," said PBA Chairman Ken Schoetz. "With over 60 percent of ticket sales coming from the Canadian market, we recognize our role as the region's front door for this great event and are preparing the bridge accordingly."

Beginning on December 26, 2010, the Peace Bridge will be illuminated with the colors of each of the 10 competing countries, starting with this year's host and defending champions, the United States.  Each evening for the remainder of the competition, the bridge will glow with the colors of a different country. On January 6, the bridge will be lit up for the last time with the colors of the country that takes home the WJHC Gold Medal.
 
The schedule of the countries' displays is as follows:

• December 26, 2010 - United States - red, white, and blue, static design
• December 27, 2010 - Canada - red and white, static design
• December 28, 2010 - Czech Republic - red, white, and blue, wave design
• December 29, 2010 - Finland - sea blue and white, static design
• December 30, 2010 - Germany - black, red, and gold, static design
• December 31, 2010 - Norway - red, indigo blue, and white, flashing design
• January 1, 2011 - Russia - white, blue, and red, rotating design
• January 2, 2011 - Slovakia - white, blue, and red, sparkle design
• January 3, 2011 - Sweden - blue and yellow/gold, static design
• January 4, 2011 - Switzerland - red and white, wave design
• January 5, 2011 - Gold Medal Game - gold, static design
• January 6, 2011 - WJHC Gold Medalist - winning country colors, flashing design

"We're pleased to once again partner with the Peace Bridge in order to promote such a unique initiative," said Larry Quinn, Managing Partner/Minority Owner of the Buffalo Sabres. "The eyes of the international hockey world will be on Buffalo Niagara later this month, and that's why we welcome efforts to illuminate the bridge and roll out the welcome mat for participating countries and their respective visitors. The games will be an exciting showcase of amateur hockey for fans across New York and Southern Ontario."

In addition to the lighting display, the PBA will also be displaying all of the flags of the participating countries, as well as some large welcome signs in the plaza of the Peace Bridge customs area. They will also be handing out promotional brochures to visitors coming into the U.S.

Those planning to attend the games can get updated travel tips, traffic information and more information on expedited border crossing programs by visiting www.peacebridge.com and mobile.peacebridge.com.  These sites will also offer wait time information for the Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Rainbow Bridge and options for lodging and restaurants.

The 2011 IIHF U20 World Junior Hockey Championships will be taking place December 26, 2010 through January 5, 2011 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY and Dwyer Arena in Niagara Falls, NY.  For more information or to order individual tickets, corporate packages, multi-packs and day passes, go to www.buffaloworldjuniors.com.

A video previewing the lighting display can be accessed here.