Communities across the country are being asked to shine a light on the live entertainment industry as it's still in the dark due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A campaign, Light Up Live, aims to have venues, buildings, homes, and suppliers light up in red an hour after sundown on Tuesday to raise awareness for the struggling industry.
Live and studio technician Jeramy “Hoogie” Donais of Chatham-Kent said they want the government to recognize that the live events industry has also been "devastated" by the pandemic.
"A lot of people don't realize, the live entertainment industry generates over $100 billion a year [in Canada]," he said. "It has been a hard go over the last few months. We just need to get some financial support."
Donais said the industry was one of the first to be affected by the pandemic and will likely be the last to return to business.
With no return date in sight, Donais said it's hard to imagine what it will be like when people within the industry do return to work.
"Every time I have a tour lined up, a month before it's supposed to go... it gets cancelled," he said. "The last show I did was December 21 in London, England."
Donais said some locations in Chatham-Kent have already committed to showing support for the industry by lighting up red, including the Chatham Capitol Theatre and the Kiwanis Theatre.
-With files from CK Mornings with Chris and Jen, 94.3 CKSY