BY JENNIFFER WARDELL
Clipper Staff Writer
CENTERVILLE С The entire city is coming together to ring in the season.
Centerville will hold its annual Festival of Lights ceremony on Dec. 3, with the lights coming on at 6 p.m. sharp at Founders Park. There will also be free food, a benefit bake sale, and live music both before and after the switch is flipped.
“It’s a chance to celebrate the season,” said Centerville Recreation Coordinator Lisa Summers. “It’s a tradition in the city.
Centerville has been holding the festival for more than two decades. At this year’s event, children’s choirs from local elementary schools and youth groups will perform throughout the evening. Santa Claus will make an appearance after the lights have been turned on, but no formal photos will be taken. There will also be free hot chocolate and cookies for everyone, along with fire pits to gather around.
The real star of the show, however, will be the lights.
“They spend at least two months putting up all the lights,” said Summers. “They do a phenomenal job. It’s the showpiece of Centerville.”
The Centerville City Youth Council will also be holding a bake sale to help local families in need. The practice started a few years ago as part of an effort to help a sick little boy in the community.
“He died just before the bake sale,” said Summers. “The council ended up giving the money to his family. It was nice, but hard.”
After that, the students decided to use the money to help a local family who would otherwise have a difficult holiday.
“We’ve been able to help several families with a little added Christmas,” said Summers, explaining that the youth council members often chose a family with a child around their age. “It’s a great service opportunity.”
Founders Park is located directly behind Centerville City Hall. For more information, visit centervilleut.net.
Post a Comment
