Spring Pond Park Lighting in Plum City in 25th year
For the last 25 years, Spring Pond Park in Plum City has been illuminated with a variety of lights and decorations after Thanksgiving, until the beginning of the new year.
"Twenty-five years ago, people in the Village looked at our community, knowing we had a beautiful park, and thought it would be the perfect spot to light for Christmas," said Village Board trustee Peggy Gilles. "We made the park a central point for the Village, and the tradition grew as people came to love it, so we did it year after year."
Gilles said lights for the park are donated in memory of people someone wishes to honor, and it has become a great tradition.
"We always have a great turnout," she said.
Typically, Gilles said about 300 lights are donated in memory of someone passed, and around 100 are donated in honor of someone still living.
"We get five dollars per light per year, which allows the Village to sustain the tradition," Gilles said. "The donations really fund some nice lights for the park."
To kick off the annual event, the names of those honored with a light are read, as well as the names of those who donated.
"This brings us all closer," Gilles said. "There's real camaradarie in an event like this. People look at Plum City and say we're one big family."
Gilles said Plum City is a prime example of the saying, "It takes a community to raise a child."
"We all pitch in and help out when someone needs it," she said. "This event allows us to get together and remember those gone before us, as well as honoring those still here."
This year, the Village has expanded the event to include new family memorial trees.
"We have five-foot light-up trees that people can purchase in honor of a family," Gilles said. "This is just another way to honor someone you love."
Local 4-Hers will begin caroling at the park at 6 p.m. Hot chocolate and cider, as well as cookies, will also be served.Sleigh rides will be offered, and there will even be a visit from Santa Claus.
A decorating of homes contest will also be new this year, said Gilles.
"On December 13 we're having some people from outside the area come in and judge decorations," she said.
Forms for the decorating of homes contest are available at the Village office, bank, and hardware store. Memorial forms are also available at those locations.
"This really is a community event," Gilles said.
The list of names will be read at 6:30 p.m. November 28, prior to the lighting. Door prize drawings will be held, as well as drawings for Plum City Dollars for both adults and kids.
The pond will remain lit until just after the first of the year, said Gilles. After the reading of the names, Santa will visit the park.
"We encourage businesses to decorate, too," Gilles said. "They support what we do, and help advertise. The community participates by gathering."
Anyone interested in donating can contact the Village office.