Lighting tHe seAson
While a half million lights shaped in an array of festive displays are the stars in the annual Holiday Nights ‘ N Lights event sponsored by Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress , there are dozens of behind-thescenes volunteers , organizations and businesses that bring it to life .
The 17th annual Holiday Nights ‘ N Lights opens Nov . 19 , 2021 , and runs through Dec . 31 , 2021 , in Greater Ottumwa Park and is expected to again draw thousands of vehicles from near and far to traverse the one-mile route .
“ For families here , this is a very long tradition , especially for locals that come back to visit ,” said Shea Greiner , vice president of engagement and organizational advancement at GOPIP .
“ What really surprises me is how many people buy season passes and come back night after night ,” she said .“ Some people come through every night .”
And , they make an outing of it , she added , by bringing hot cocoa , apple cider and snacks to enjoy while taking in the lights .
“ It ’ s done with such pride and thoughtfulness ,” she said .“ It ’ s an amazing group of volunteers who come every night to check the lights and work the booths .”
And this year , several longtime volunteers for the event were honored with the Governor ’ s Volunteer Award : Bill Ansle , Steve Mace , Carla Herten , Morris Frisbee and John Hunt .
“ They ’ ve been here since the beginning , it seems
like ,” Greiner said .“ Without our volunteers , this event would not be possible . They wire everything , check every light bulb and also go through the park doing maintenance throughout the season .”
Greiner calls the event “ a drive-thru lights extravaganza .”
The lights display is open for 41 consecutive nights , barring inclement weather or excessively windy conditions .
“ People just like to enjoy going out and looking at the lights ,” Greiner says .
And there are plenty of lights , spread out 50 displays with more than 55 characters represented . Scenes range from patriotic to seasonal . Some of the displays have movement and some have sound . One display has frogs saying “ ribbit ” to the tune of a Christmas carol — a display that ’ s popular with kids , Greiner said .
Holiday Nights ‘ N Lights , though , represents much more than a dazzling display . GOPIP donates part of the proceeds to nonprofit organizations that help with the many volunteer jobs that keep the event running , such as set-up , tear-down and running the ticket booth .
Advance tickets to the event can be purchased for $ 10 at elliott oil company locations in ottumwa , Agency , Albia , batavia , centerville , eddyville and Hedrick . Admission at the site is $ 12 per car , $ 20 or $ 1 per person for buses ( whichever is greater ). A season pass is available for $ 45 .
GOPIP Investor Directory 2021-22 19