Committee members:

Larry Biltz, Vice chairman

George Brecht, Treasurer

Ann Mort, Secretary/Communications

Barney Strassburger, Site Manager

Perry Thatcher, Business Advisor

John Ridge, Business Advisor

Earl Smith, Community Advisor

NEWS RELEASE

For more information call: Ann Mort at (513) 649-4506/email Rmort@cinci.rr.com  or Florella Randall at 423-1877.

11/10/05

LIGHT UP MIDDLETOWN ACQUIRES DISPLAYS       

FROM CLOSED EVENT    

When Light Up Middletown opens for its month-long event the day after Thanksgiving, there will be even more lights and displays than planned.

The seventh season of Light Up Middletown at Smith Park in downtown Middletown had already added 25 lighted trees, an animated airplane and other displays when they were offered an opportunity to purchase the entire outdoor display used by the former Christmas Village near Middletown.

Thanks to the generosity of Light Up board member John Ridge and his wife Dr. Jennifer Ridge, a deal was struck, an interest free loan was extended to the Light Up committee and more than enough items were purchased to fill an entire semi-truck with displays, bulbs and equipment to add to the Light Up fantasy drive through display experience.

Because of the enormity of the addition and the lateness of the acquisition, only a portion of the total number of displays will be used for the 2005 season. Enough, however, to make a dramatic impact for 2005 visitors.  The balance of  items will be used to increase the size and impact of Light Up for the next several years.

Visitors to Smith Park, 500 Tytus Avenue, on any evening, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., throughout the period November 25 through December 31 will see many of their old favorites plus new sparkling experiences at the 2005 Light Up Middletown.  The event is open every day, including holidays, regardless of weather conditions.

Visitors will enjoy Christmas Tree Lane, a 40’ tunnel of lights, several themed areas, an animated swan floating in the lake, ice skaters, Santa,  a train, an American flag, the penguin village, deer leaping over the roadway, a lighted helicopter, airplane and hot air balloon near the Middletown airport and many more—all with thousands of twinkling lights.  

All displays are motor coach accessible.  Admission is by donation. Guests are asked to drop a cash donation of any amount in the box as they enter or leave the park.

Light Up Middletown raises funds for Middletown City Park improvements.  For more information call chairperson Florella Randall at 513-423-1877.

In addition to the light display, Got Art, a top notch art exhibit will be on view every day 24/7 in the Art Central district of downtown Middletown—just three blocks from Light up Middletown.

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