By JONATHAN SNYDER
A committee dedicated to fundraising for new Bluffton Christmas lights has collected approximately $37,000 of their $80,000 goal.
A $15,000 grant from the Wells County Foundation has significantly boosted the fundraising efforts toward that goal. They have also applied for an additional $30,000 grant, but it has yet to be awarded.
Committee members found three new LED light structures that they plan to use across downtown, intending to replace the older style of lights used since 1999. The original lights were expected to last only five years, committee member Brenda Jackson stated.
In addition to the lights, rewiring the rooftop bulbs is a priority. Committee member Tim McCormick added that the new lights could make the rooftop bulbs look very dim in comparison.
The new structures are also significantly lighter and easier to put up. Electric Department Supervisor Brad Penrod stated that the new lights will hook onto brackets.
“That would save a lot of time during the season,” McCormick said. “Right now, the old lights, it takes two guys per light to hang them because of the weight of them. And by the way you hang them, this should eliminate that.”
According to McCormick and Jackson, community feedback indicates a combination of three proposed lights is preferred. However, no decision has been made and the lights will not be available for the upcoming year. McCormick and Jackson are hoping that the lights will be ready for 2025.
“We are still in the very early stages of this,” McCormick said. “But we also talked about just doing Main Street with the snowflakes and then the side streets, mixing them up with the wreath and the Christmas tree (designs).”
Out of over 660 votes so far, the snowflake design has been the overwhelming leader with 450 votes cast in favor of that design. The wreath design had 131 votes and the Christmas tree design had 81 votes. Jackson is also hoping for an opening ceremony for the lights to return in 2025.
“We are talking about having a Christmas opening ceremony here to light up the new lights and make a big presentation of them,” Jackson said. “We are hoping by doing this, we can really get the downtown merchants involved in it and … they can play off of it as well, starting in Christmas season 2025.”
The committee plans to purchase the lights from GP Designs, which is offering a 40% discount if they can purchase the lights during January or February of next year. The committee plans to add another golf outing fundraiser and a golf cart parade throughout 2025 to help earn funds. Jackson also stated that the Wells County Foundation is handling all the money for the lights and any donation checks must be made out to them.
jonathan@news-banner.com
