As the rustling leaves of fall tumble into the holiday season, local Searcy organizations are working to bring back a tradition that will light up everyone’s holiday spirit. Searcy’s formerly annual Holiday of Lights event will return to Berryhill Park beginning Nov. 24.
According to Amy Burton, executive director of Main Street Searcy and Holiday of Lights committee member, the Holiday of Lights is a month-long event that illuminates Berryhill Park, the White County courthouse and other parts of downtown Searcy with thousands of Christmas lights. These Christmas lights will be on display throughout the holiday season and help contribute to the family-oriented atmosphere that Searcy officials seek to create, Burton said.
“It’s nice because Searcy touts itself as being community-minded and family-oriented,” Burton said. “This gives you an opportunity to do something with your family, to bring the kids out to see the lights and to have those sentimental memories of the town in which they’ve grown up.”
According to Burton, the Holiday of Lights event is part of a larger effort regarding the beautification of Searcy that has been led by the Searcy Regional Economic Development Corp., the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Searcy.
“That’s how the Holiday of Lights thing all came about; we’re a group of community-minded citizens that are working to bring back the lighting,” Burton said.
Holiday of Lights saw its decline over the past several years in part, Burton said, because of vandalism. The city is now in a financial place, however, to repair damaged lights and provide additional security around the light displays.
“There is a Trail of Holiday Lights program within the (Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism), and we used to be in that program,” Burton said. “So, we’re obviously striving to get back on the Trail of Holiday Lights because that brings visitors into the community.”
According to KARK 4 News, the project, which has been in the dark for nearly five years, costs $250,000 to complete. In addition, $36,000 will be spent on security and police presence.
There is much more to the Holiday of Lights than just the illuminated displays around town. Main Street Searcy is working to compile a schedule of events hosted by Searcy agencies, organizations, non-profits, church groups and school groups. These schedules will be made available at the courthouse and other places around town.
“The lights were such an iconic part of Searcy,” freshman and Searcy-native Ty Galyan said. “I’m excited to see the Holiday of Lights return to the city and for community members to get to enjoy it once again.”
The Holiday of Lights will provide patrons with an opportunity to take their hot cocoa around town and enjoy the holiday festivities that Searcy offers. The campaign will kick off at Berryhill Park at 5 p.m. on Nov. 24 and will run until Jan. 5, 2016.
