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The Downtown Victoria Business Association is hoping an injection of corporate cash will elevate its holiday light extravaganza in ­Centennial Square to a new level.

The association, which launched the $500,000 Lights of Wonder in 2019 but had to store the displays last year due to the pandemic, will now have a few extra dollars to spend on supporting community entertainment through the festival when it opens for its second year in mid-December.

Starlight Investments, which is behind a sweeping mixed-use development project that will transform the downtown’s ­Harris Green neighbourhood, has come aboard the winter light festival as its new title sponsor.

“We are honoured and excited to support the DVBA’s Lights of Wonder event this holiday season,” said Starlight Investments’ Andrew Browne. “This event offers residents of all ages from all over the region some magic and fun, and we feel that is more important now than ever before.”

Terms of the sponsorship deal have not been disclosed. DVBA chief executive Jeff Bray said it is significant, but less than $100,000. Bray said the money will mean the organization can ­funnel its existing cash into its marketing campaigns, the Clean Team and other programs.

“It also ensures we can maximize the opportunity for community groups to make use of the [Lights of Wonder] space for entertainment,” he said. “The nights that were really good [in 2019] were when we had things like the lighting of the menorah and the Vic High Jazz Band.

“We want at least eight nights of actual entertainment this year provided by community groups,” he said, noting the DVBA will be able to cover the added costs of audio-visual equipment and other things to accommodate performers.

”Having a sponsor helps defray those kinds of costs.”

The Lights of Wonder is a massive light-driven installation featuring trees made of light, glowing replicas of buildings and icons reflecting the region, from orcas and the legislature buildings to a beaming replica of the Gate of Harmonious Interest.

Created in 2019, the Lights of Wonder is a free outdoor festival that features installations between Douglas and Government streets, recorded and live music and refreshments. It is designed to attract people downtown and support local merchants during the holiday season.

In 2019, it attracted more than 75,000 people to Centennial Square during the Christmas season.

Bray said they expect more than that this winter, given the pent-up demand for community events and festivals.

He said they will follow whatever COVID-19 protocols are in place. As it stands right now, given it’s an outdoor event, there are very few.

Bray said if that changes by December they will be able to limit numbers by fencing off certain areas and establishing gates.

The lighting display was designed by North Vancouver’s Shine Lighting Group, which specializes in custom lighting installations in public spaces.

The company made its name with Enchant Christmas, which features a massive lit maze staged inside major league baseball stadiums across the U.S.

The Starlight Lights of Wonder, which will begin seting up at the end of November, will run from Dec. 16 through until Dec. 31, when it will wrap with a family-friendly first night celebration.

aduffy@timescolonist.com