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Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls light show gets $3.1M overhaul

Nancy Trejos
USA TODAY

Niagara Falls has gotten a dazzling makeover.

The iconic North American tourist attraction that both the USA and Canada can claim as their own now has a new $3.1 million LED lighting system.

The falls light up each night but outdated halogen technology caused gaps in visibility and produced high energy costs. The new system has doubled the lighting levels and reduced energy costs by about 60%.

The Falls have been lit since 1860, when 200 calcium torpedo lights were placed above and flow the American Falls to celebrate the visit of the Prince of Wales.

The first electric illumination of the Falls took place in 1879. The last time the lights were updated was during the 1997-1998 season. That resulted in the Falls being lit in a rainbow of colors.

Visitors can see the light show from 5 p.m. to midnight all of January, 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. in February, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. from March 1 to 7, and 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. from March 8 to April 30. The illumination is extended to midnight Fridays to Sundays in March and April.

The lights are multi-colored. They are lit in custom colors for short periods of time to support charitable causes, courtesy of The Niagara Falls Illumination Board.

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