📰 Press & Reviews — Media Coverage Roundup
Forest of Light at Sandhill Nursery (Huntsville, Ontario) has received coverage across local news outlets, tourism boards, national lifestyle media, travel review platforms, and accommodation partners. This page compiles all known media coverage for the inaugural season running December 2, 2025 – March 21, 2026.
Local News Coverage
1. Huntsville Doppler
Date: December 2, 2025 (Opening Day)
URL: doppleronline.ca
Opening-day article reporting Forest of Light as a reimagining and permanent relocation of the former Eclipse: Walk With Light.
“...invites you to wander and awaken the child-like wonder of this enchanted forest, regardless of your age.”
2. HMATA (Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association)
Date: December 5, 2025
URL: huntsvillemat.com
Official press statement featuring key stakeholder quotes:
“Sandhill has extensive experience presenting unique and engaging attractions... It is a magical venue for the Forest of Light.”
— Kelly Haywood, Explore Huntsville
“Sandhill is pleased to continue the legacy begun by Eclipse Walk With Light, ensuring that Huntsville has an enchanting winter experience where residents and visitors can make annual traditions and lasting memories.”
— Tim Cantelon, Owner, Sandhill Nursery
“Winter has always been a beautiful season here at Sandhill, but this year felt like the right time to build on that and invite people to experience the property differently.”
— Zach MacPherson, Marketing Director
3. Muskoka411
Date: December 5, 2025
URL: muskoka411.com
Regional news outlet distributed the opening press release to its Muskoka readership. Coverage mirrors HMATA announcement with stakeholder quotes.
4. Hunters Bay Radio / Muskoka Radio
Date: December 5, 2025
URL: muskokaradio.com
“...one-kilometre trail features illuminated Muskoka forest stories, interactive soundscapes, and post-trail skating through festive greenhouses.”
5. My Muskoka Now
Author: Hilary Hilton
URL: mymuskokanow.com
Feature on Sandhill’s first-ever structured winter programming, contextualizing the event as a new chapter for the nursery.
National & Lifestyle Media
1. Curiocity — “Goats in the GLOW”
Date: February 13, 2026 | Author: Karen Doradea
URL: curiocity.com
The broadest-reaching coverage to date. National Canadian lifestyle publication featured the “Goats in the Glow” Tuesday evening experience with Muskoka Goat Away.
“...a must-visit moment for visitors, blending the cozy magic of the glowing forest and charming goats under twinkling lights.”
2. Toronto On Demand
URL: torontoondemand.ca
Toronto-area entertainment guide positioning the event for urban audiences.
“...transforms the natural landscape into a glowing outdoor gallery.”
“Rather than relying on spectacle alone, Forest of Light focuses on atmosphere and storytelling.”
Visitor Reviews (2025–2026 Season)
Across all platforms, 21 distinct visitor reviews and testimonials were collected (including predecessor event). No negative reviews of the light experience itself were found on any platform.
TripAdvisor
Rating: #13 of 28 attractions in Huntsville | 8 reviews | Nursery overall: 4.1/5
URL: tripadvisor.ca
“We went here to view their Christmas light show. It consists of a 1km trail through the nursery, filled with wonderful Christmas light decor.”
— Tiffiemonkee (Barrie, December 22, 2025)
Eh Canada Travel — Video Reviews
Reviewer: Thomas Worsley (travel blogger, in-person visitor)
Video 1: Dec 16, 2025 |
Video 2: Dec 18, 2025 (369 views, 6 comments)
“OMG, I have never seen anything like it. I saw Lazer Floyd at the ROM in Toronto when I was in high school, and the feel and excitement were kinda the same.”
— Thomas Worsley
Community discussion:
| Commenter | Date | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Sonya Richmond | Dec 16 | “This looks like a really magical place!” |
| Jesseca Perry | Dec 30 | “This looks like a great place to check out!” |
| Thomas Worsley | Dec 30 | “It was amazing when we went. They have since had rain, and they did close it down for a couple of nights because it was not safe on the trails.” |
| Sonya Richmond | Dec 31 | “What a magical looking experience! It looks incredible with all the snow!” |
| Greg Girard | Dec 31 | “Wow. This is something special.” |
| Thomas Worsley | Dec 31 | “For 22 bucks per adult, I didn’t think it was too much — maybe for a family of 4, yes.” |
| Greg Girard | Jan 6 | “People can tend to complain no matter how good the experience. As long as they listen and learn and make sound decisions to continue with this event all is well.” |
Google Reviews — Sandhill Nursery
Rating: 4.7/5 (~116 reviews) | Reviews are primarily about the garden centre and fall festival; Forest of Light-specific reviews still building.
Sandhill Nursery Official Statement
URL: sandhillnursery.ca
“The Forest of Light has been glowing for the past couple of months, and the response has been incredible.”
Tourism Board & Event Listings
| Organization | Listing Type | Best Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Explore Huntsville | Event listing | “A cerebral walk, designed to touch your soul and ignite your imagination.” |
| Discover Muskoka (feature) | Event listing + feature article + Winter Must-Do roundups | Featured on Most Stunning Winter Trails list |
| The Great Canadian Wilderness | Bus tour package ($65/person) | Includes Belgian hot chocolate + downtown Huntsville holiday lights |
| Deerhurst Resort | Accommodation package | “Perfect for couples, families and anyone seeking a magical Muskoka evening adventure.” |
| Jeffrey Braun (Muskoka Realtor Blog) | “Things to do in Muskoka in Winter” | “Stroll through an enchanted forest lit with installations, hot chocolate in hand.” |
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Metric | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20,835 likes / 7,497 check-ins | Primary social media channel with active event promotion | |
| 19K followers | Visual content including dedicated Forest of Light Reels | |
| Ontario Hiking Trail (Facebook) | Community post | Shared dedicated post tagging @sandhillnursery |
No significant TikTok coverage or independent influencer content identified as of March 2026.
Coverage Summary
| Category | Count | Sentiment |
|---|---|---|
| Local news outlets | 5 | Positive |
| Tourism board listings | 5+ | Positive |
| National lifestyle media | 1 (Curiocity) | Positive |
| Visitor reviews (TripAdvisor) | 8 | Positive |
| Travel community video reviews | 1 (Eh Canada Travel) | Mostly positive |
| Accommodation partner listings | 1 (Deerhurst) | Positive |
| Major Toronto media (blogTO, Narcity, Daily Hive) | 0 | Not yet covered |
Video & Media Collection
All publicly available video content found online for Forest of Light. 5 YouTube videos, 2 Facebook videos, 1 Instagram reel, and 2 Eh Canada Travel reviews.
YouTube
Forest of Light at Sandhill Nursery
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Forest of Light at Sandhill Nursery
YouTube
Forest of Light at Sandhill Nursery
YouTube · Starts at 2:39
Forest of Light at Sandhill Nursery
YouTube
Forest of Light at Sandhill Nursery
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Facebook Videos
Discover Muskoka — Official Opening
Forest of Light at Sandhill Nursery has officially opened
Watch on Facebook →Ontario Hiking Trail — “Step Into a Winter Wonderland”
Forest of Light at Sandhill Nursery in Huntsville
Watch on Facebook →