In a season that lasts 39 days this year, from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, the Light Up Middletown all-volunteer crew reports a total of 34,536 visitors have toured the drive-through light display in 8,926 vehicles including 28 buses in the first 23 days of operation. 

In 2006 the total for the first 23 days of operation was 34,864 people in 10,289 vehicles.

The light display volunteers welcome each guest and ask where they live and how they heard about the event. Besides the official information, volunteers report that many guests seem to have developed a holiday tradition of touring Light Up Middletown at least once each season. “LUM” seems to be an inexpensive outing for the family with a pass through a fast food restaurant drive-thru lane followed by a drive through Light Up Middletown. Admission to the light display is by donation with guests setting their own admission price.

Besides the organizations whose members are on duty at the gate each evening from 5:30-9:30,  the Grandpa Gang members and other committee members and costumed cast members are on duty in all types of weather.  Groups volunteering this year include: Middletown High School Musical Arts, MHS Athletic Boosters, Middletown Journal Newspapers in Education, MHS Success Academy and Girl Scout Troop 3653.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children in the special Santa House for one more weekend, Friday December 21 and Saturday December 22 from 6:30-9:30 pm. Photos are available.

The growing number of Light Up Middletown’s themed displays in the 100-acre Smith Park include the tunnel of lights entrance,  Santa and his sleigh, a penguin village, swans floating on the fishing lake, a sea serpent, deer leaping over the roadway, butterfly forest and many more. New this year, is a 139 foot long  by 24 foot tall Santa’s Workshop display—aver 1/3 as long as a football field. 
   
To visit the display, take I-75, Exit 32 and follow the signs or enter via SR 4/73/Verity Parkway. The park is at 500 Tytus Avenue, adjacent to the Middletown Hook Field Airport.

Light Up Middletown is a non-profit organization raising funds to improve Middletown’s public parks. 

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


Light Up Middletown Continues To Attract

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