Lighting up
THE SEASON
Holiday Nights ’ N Lights tradition continues to give back
BY TRACY GOLDIZEN
This 35-foot yeti was a new display in 2019 . He ’ s back again this year . Most years , the lighted route features a handful of new displays as well as rearranging of the others to make to the one-mile journey feel fresh . It has also allowed for a gradual transition to LED lights . Photo provided by Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress
There ’ s no doubt that Holiday Nights ’ N Lights has grown to be an Ottumwa tradition .
The lighted holiday extravaganza set up in Ottumwa Park every year , however , was not the original vision of the group that started it .
Nights ’ N Lights was born out of the Light Up Ottumwa Committee , which was made up of past presidents of the Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce and other members of the community . It formed around 2003-2004 , said David Uehling , a former member of the committee .
At the time , he said , the Jefferson Street Viaduct had just gotten its lights and several churches were starting to use lights on their signs as well .
“ We wanted to start a committee and make Ottumwa a lot more attractive in the evening from a lighting standpoint ,” Uehling said .
A 2004 lighted holiday display in the park was intended to raise funds to get the committee going . A large , lighted tree was put up in the park with smaller trees around it sponsored for $ 100 each ; 30 sponsors supported that effort .
Then , in 2005 , Holiday Nights ’ N Lights was born . Uehling said another member of the committee , Brett LaPoint , knew someone in Oskaloosa that was involved in similar events and said , “ What about doing something like this ?”
14 Senior Resource Guide 2020