| Light Up Middletown Wraps up 10th Year |
| Monday, January 5, 2009 11:23:29 AM - Middletown Ohio |
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By: Anne Mort
Light Up Middletown ended its 10th year of operation on New Year’s Eve. The holiday drive-through light display in Middletown’s Smith Park welcomed 46,467 people in 13,429 vehicles (including 45 buses) during the 34 days of operation between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve 2008.
Flo Randall, chairperson of the event, reported a total of 444,609 guests in 151,679 vehicles have toured the display during the 10 years of operation. The ten year total of $289,105 in donations covers the cost of upgrading the park, replacement, repair and additions of new displays as well as donations to many non-profit groups whose volunteers have welcomed guests and gathered statistics each of the 1,452 hours of operation.
As with most years, 2008 guests came from near and far with 87% coming from Butler and Warren Counties, 2% from Preble County, ½% from Hamilton County and 7% from Montgomery County. Out of state guests accounted for 1.5% of the total. There were 45 buses from nearby retirement facilities and motor coach tours.
Light Up Middletown, a non-profit organization, is staffed entirely by volunteers who maintain and erect the displays each year.
The 2009 Light Up Middletown will be November 27, 2009 through December 31, 2009, 6-10 pm.
Light Up Middletown Economic Impact Report
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
Ginger Smith, City of Middletown
Frankie Carlson, Board Member
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