Light Up the Park 2020 has begun, drive in & enjoy (Preview)

Date:

light the park 2020
The Garretson Fire Department display for 2020 went all out, dazzling park-goers.

The 2nd Annual Light the Park began last Thursday as Christmas season 2020 started. Located at Split Rock Park, the displays this year are working hard to out-do themselves from 2019. The drive through the park is even bigger and brighter than the year before.

The project started as a fundraising idea for the new shade structure by the playground. The Grow Garretson committee that formed to raise funds for the bench effort saw a need for a second shelter, and came up with the plan to light up the park for the holidays in 2019. It was a success, allowing the team to raise enough funds for the cement pad. Now, it has its eyes set on the shelter itself.

ā€œIt isnā€™t a wooden shelter,ā€ said Grow Garretson Light the Park committee member Carrie Moritz. The committee plans to install a steel structure that can withstand the wind speeds, snow loads, and train vibrations that will be encountered at that location. It will also match the playground. But with that comes a cost, and the committee is working hard to seek out grants and raise funds. They recently were the recipients of an Alliance Communications ā€œKeep the Changeā€ grant for $2,500 which will go towards picnic tables and waste receptacles in the shelter.

Light the Park has been their biggest fundraising effort so far, and 2019ā€™s success and the enthusiasm from the community brought them back for another year.

ā€œWe had most of our display sponsors and decorators from last year sign back up again this year,ā€ Moritz said. ā€œDue to the response, the committee made several more spaces available, and all were taken. Weā€™ve been so grateful to all the people who volunteered to help make this a resounding success.ā€

Getting a project of this magnitude off the ground isnā€™t without its difficulties, however. The team had issues with an electrical pole at the entrance, and encountered more than a few strands of lights that refused to stay lit.

Luckily, the City was more than willing to work with the committee. They loaned the team their generator and trailer for the first weekend, and tapped Steveā€™s Electric to upgrade the electrical pole. The City also provided employee help and planning.

ā€œ[City Finance Officer] Anna Uhl and committee member and city councilor Jodi Gloe were great. They picked up a lot of supplies for us and helped us plan a couple of the larger spaces. Zach Uhl also helped decorate, and we kept all the other guys on their toes while we were getting set up,ā€ said Moritz.

In all, Moritz said there were eighteen teams that decorated. Several local businesses sponsored spaces, with some using a new option this year, which was to sponsor a decorating team.

ā€œWe had a few organizations that were willing to provide the dĆ©cor and the volunteers for the larger areas, and we had businesses that wanted to contribute last year but didnā€™t have the volunteers,ā€ said Moritz. ā€œThis was a great way to get both the volunteers and the businesses involved.ā€

Continued on Part 2 - Mailed subscription or higher level account required to view

Share post:

spot_img

Related articles

46 years of smiles with Santa

ļ»æ            On Saturday, Santa visited the Garretson School during Hometown Christmas, and pointed out to the Gazette that...

Hometown Christmas fun, despite wind and cold

ļ»æ            Saturday's Hometown Christmas was a success, with events that were well-attended. Despite the cold, residents came out...

Community Happenings from December 7, 2023

The Sounds of Christmas fill First Bank in Garretson ļ»æ            Last Friday, the Garretson branch of First Bank &...

Hometown Christmas is this Saturday!

ļ»æ            This Saturday, come home for Christmas as Garretson celebrates its annual Hometown Christmas event!             At Hometown Christmas,...

Log In

Latest articles

ļ»æSuperintendentā€™s Report

by Mr. Guy Johnson             Every year, the SD Department of Education collects a variety of data points for...

News for 11-7-24

Volleyball heads into the postseason on a high note; Mark Williamson will be the featured speaker at Post...

News for 11-7-2024 (e-edition)

This Week's Issue Download this week's issue Community Events Calendar Volleyball heads into the postseason on a high note; Mark Williamson...

Pasque Medical Massage opens next week

ļ»æby Carrie Moritz, Gazette             A new business is coming to town, thanks to entrepreneur Allison Neukirchen. She will...

ļ»æMother of expelled student follow up phone interview

ļ»æby Carrie Moritz and Garrick Moritz, Gazette             In a follow-up call to the Gazette, the mother of expelled...

ļ»æMichelle Pliska keeps her license, despite reprimand

ļ»æby Carrie Moritz and Garrick Moritz, Gazette             A former Garretson school counselor was publicly reprimanded by the SD...
s2Member®