Shining Light Through the Darkness to host Christmas light, decor display
18th annual walk-through event
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BURNHAM -- The walk-through Christmas display, Shining Light Through The Darkness, celebrates its 18th annual event beginning on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Kish Park.
This organization held its first annual event in 2007, making the event bigger and better with each passing winter, organizers said.
Darla Rickert, a chairperson of the organization, said there have been some changes and upgrades made over the years, with one of the most recent including a penguin walking on a tightrope.
Rickert added that the first Shining Light Through the Darkness event lasted just three weeks. The walk-through now remains open for an entire month, this year ending on Friday, Jan. 5.
She said the inaugural event offered displays that spanned about one-third of KIsh Park and was attended by about 1,500 people.
Attendees this year can expect a much larger event with the decorated one-mile loop through and surrounding the park. Event organizers anticipate a much higher number of visitors than what they saw when they hosted the first event. More than 15,000 people attended the event last winter.
Volunteers at the event will set up a concession stand to distribute hot dogs and hot chocolate at no cost each night.
Volunteers will also operate a six-seat golf cart to shuttle attendees along the path. Those walking on event grounds in Kish Park may also call the number posted along the path to receive a ride from the golf cart to view the remaining portions of the display. Wheelchair users have the option to board a coal car for a more accessible experience.
Organizers also offer visitors an indoor display at the train and village room that features hundreds of miniature model sets. These sets create a unique and realistic town with working lights, sounds, and trains that travel through the tiny village set.
Ricker said there are more than one million lights that decorate the walking path as well as the buildings, pavilions and ball fields at Kish Park. With more than 1,000 hours in volunteer work just in the set up alone, the organizers encourage more volunteers to assist with event operations.
Those interested in volunteering may sign up to be greeters and pass out candy canes. Potential volunteers with a driver's license can also help to operate the golf cart.
Three volunteers are needed to run the concession stand every night. Time slots are also available for family friendly entertainers who would like to perform for the public. Many more volunteer opportunities for the event are available to the community.
The Shining Light Through the Darkness walk is held nightly, weather permitting from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 2 – Jan. 5. Those who wish to volunteer may reach out to the Shining Light Through the Darkness facebook page or email at kishparkshininglight.org
The event is not sponsored or endorsed by Derry Township.