| Light Up Middletown Starts November 23rd |
| Monday, November 19, 2007 9:32:22 AM - Middletown Ohio |
by Ann Mort
For the 9th time, Florella Randall, chairwoman and originator of Light Up Middletown will throw the switch on thousands of twinkling lights on Friday, November 23, at 5:30 pm. From then on, the displays will be open 5:30 to 9:30 every single evening, regardless of the weather, holidays included, until the last light dims on New Year’s Eve at 9:30 pm.
Many families, school sport teams, senior center tour buses and traveling motor coach groups visit the display as an annual tradition. Admission is by donation – guests set their own admission price.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children in the special Santa House on Fridays and Saturdays through 12/22. Photos are available.
For one special evening, the Middletown Journal’s Holiday Balloon Glow will join Light Up Middletown with their annual hot air balloon display on Thursday, December 6.
The growing number of Light Up Middletown’s themed displays 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.
Light Up Middletown is a drive-through fantasy light display set in the 100 acre Smith Park in downtown Middletown.
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. 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 39 day event. Local non-profit groups volunteer at the gate to greet guests and gather statistical information. Light Up Middletown makes a donation to each participating volunteer group.
The Middletown Community Foundation and Middletown Journal are Light Up Middletown outstanding sponsors for 2007.
For additional information call 513-423-1877 or 513-649-4506. |
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