With a fresh layer of snow on the ground now is the perfect time to get in some holiday cheer by taking a drive through the Festival of Lights now open at Swan Lake State Park in Carroll. Organizer Pat Tigges says five new displays are among some old favorites this year and the entire festival has been freshened up.
The Festival of Lights serves as the only fundraising event for the Carroll County EMS each year, and at the end of the lighted path patrons can thank their local EMS teams in person who will be on hand to collect any free will donations. Tigges says he’s amazed by the volunteer spirit of around some 300 EMS volunteers.
Money raised will be used to help emergency responders pay for ongoing training and for the cost of books used in the training classes which can all cost quite a bit.
The Festival of Lights contains more than a million and a half bulbs and took around twenty people to set up all the displays. This year, however, Mother Nature threw the set-up team a curve ball when over half of them were blown over so the crew got to set it all up twice, but Tigges says the festival wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the many volunteers who work behind the scenes.
The Festival of Lights is open from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm every evening from now through December 27. While driving through the lighted display people can also enjoy Christmas music provided by a new transmitter which has an extended reach.
