by Ann Mort

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


LIGHT UP MIDDLETOWN CLOSES ON ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR 

At 9:30 pm on New Year’s Eve, Light Up Middletown closed for the 9th year of presenting a fantasy light display to Middletown residents and guests – 55,735 of them, besting last year’s 53,748 visitors. The main difference between 2007 and 2006 was in the number of vehicles passing through the tunnel of lights. In 2007, there were 15,048 cars, vans, buses and trucks. In 2006, the number was larger - 15,960. Organizers assume guests were bringing a larger number in each vehicle when they came to the animated light display in downtown Middletown’s Smith Park this season. The number of buses was up, too, with a new record 49 total for the season. 

Volunteers greeted guests each of the 39 evenings of operation and ask their county of residence and counted the number of people in each vehicle.  As usual, the bulk of the guests were from Butler (70%) and Warren (15%) with next highest being Montgomery County (8%). Other Ohio counties account for another 5%, with other states/countries at 2%. Many guests reported that LUM has become an annual tradition with their families and out-of-town guests. Many visitors came several times throughout the season, dropping a donation in the box with each visit.

Light Up Middletown was started to bring sparkle to a struggling downtown Middletown and draw people into town with a hoped-for economic impact in restaurants, retailers and gas stations.  According to those who greet guests, the number of fast food bags they observed in vehicles entering the park from the Verity Parkway area should mean happy restaurant managers in Middletown. 

Volunteer greeters represent several local non-profit organizations including school, scout and church groups. For each evening a group “works” the gate, their organization receives a $60 donation from Light Up Middletown (LUM). Those who generously donate as they enter the park are also donating to several other organizations as well as helping LUM purchase additional displays, maintain and repair current displays and make a contribution to the Middletown park system each year. A major part of LUM’s park upgrades have been in the form of additional underground electrical service in Smith Park which is used not only by LUM but several other events throughout the year.

The 2007 Light Up season included Santa and Mrs. Claus on pre-Christmas weekends. The red-suited pair and their picture-taking elves were popular with hundreds of families.

Thanks to the Middletown Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Middletown Journal/Cox Newspapers, Light Up Middletown was able to advertise in media reaching out-of-town guests. Also, the annual Middletown Journal Holiday Balloon Glow joined LUM in drawing hundreds of people to the park for the one night of additional light. Several local businesses lend equipment and expert assistance or donate food coupons as a thank you to the Grandpa Gang. City of Middletown Public Works employees are very helpful in many ways, including using their specialized equipment to reach the tops of tall trees.

Light Up Middletown is a non-profit organization raising funds to improve Middletown’s public parks.  All members of the organization are volunteers. The executive committee consists of: Florella Randall,Chair;  Larry Biltz, Vice chair; George Brecht, Treasurer; Ann Mort, Secretary/Communications; Barney Strassburger, Site Manager; Perry Thatcher, Business Advisor; and John Ridge, Business Advisor.

A group of mostly-retired men formed the Grandpa Gang to set up and dismantle the displays as well as turning the lights on and off each evening and maintaining the displays throughout the event which runs from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. 

For additional information call 513-423-1877 or 513-649-4506.

Light Up Middletown
Florella Randall, Chairperson  
4931 Riverview Avenue           

Middletown, OH 45042-4012

Phone: 513-423-1877                             

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

Other News on Light Up Middletown: