One of the best things about winter is Christmas lights. The ones that make a person feel like they are in a Lifetime movie. Luckily for everyone, Searcy does a fantastic job providing that experience.
On Tuesday Nov. 21 the official lighting ceremonies of Downtown Searcy (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.) and Berryhill Park (5 p.m.) will take place. Jennifer Hannigan, Harding publications writer, and her family have enjoyed many of the activities Searcy has provide during the winter months for the past three years.
“Neither my husband or I are from here, so when we had kids, we wanted to make those Christmas traditions, so we tried to look for those things,” Hannigan said.
Having a town like Searcy that provides these extra experiences for its residents is something that Hannigan appreciates.
“I think it shows that back and forth,” Hannigan said. “Not only are you, a resident of Searcy, putting into the community, but the community is putting back into you. Especially with the lights, it’s a magical. You know magic is so ingrained in Christmas anyway and you go to Berryhill and you feel like its daytime because the lights are so bright. It just shows that investment.”
After the lighting ceremonies, head to Spring Park and enjoy the ice skating rink. The rink will be open Nov. 21 – Jan. 1, Monday-Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $5 for 45 minutes.
“I think that it is the perfect thing to do if you really want to get into the Christmas spirit,” sophomore Kassy Gutierrez said. “All of Berry Hill is covered in lights with moving characters and Christmas trees. I have so many great memories just walking around there during winter nights.”
Searcy does a great job getting the community involved in something that everyone can enjoy. They are showing investment in the residents that life here by providing many holiday time experiences.
“I think that the lights downtown and at Berry Hill bring the community together and give the community something to relate to and look back on,” Gutierrez said.
