Holiday Lights draws large crowds
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
Last Sunday, December 20, Ringgold County Conservation’s third annual Holiday Lights in the Park event wrapped things up.
Over 1,500 people came out to enjoy the lights on display throughout Poe Hollow over three weekends.
The event is put together by the staff at Ringgold County Conservation as well as county businesses that try to out decorate each other in the campground then is voted on by those who come out to enjoy the lights.
Of the 1,500 people that attended this year, 23 percent came from outside of the county.
Ringgold County saw 346 people from places such as Pleasant Hill, Indianola, Des Moines, New Market, Clarinda, Leon, Lamoni, Bedford, Corning, Greenfield, Osceola, Creston, Afton, Webster and Hancock counties as well as Maryville, Grant City, Allendale and one vehicle from Kansas.
“Ringgold County Conservation is proud to go above and beyond their scope of duties to provide a much needed resource in Ringgold county,” said Ringgold County Conservation Executive Director Kate Zimmerman. “Not only does the Holiday Lights in the Park provide a local attraction for Ringgold county citizens, but also increases tourism in Ringgold county that benefits local businesses.”
One thing many may not know is that the entire event is funded by the Ringgold Conservation Foundation, sponsors and revenue generated funding, meaning no tax dollars are spent to put the event on.
This year, Bishop Farms-Pioneer won the People’s Choice Award while Munyon Plumbing and Heating won the best business category and Ringgold County ISU Extention won the non-profit category.
The event has been a great fundraiser for Ringgold County Conservation and this year over $5,000 was raised with the proceeds going towards the match grant for the Liberty Lake renovation project.
