River City Blog

Last night a group of volunteers from Gammon Realty braved the frigid, rainy evening to staff the Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights at Garvin Park. It has become a tradition for us to help with this event. Volunteers collect donations, distribute information and provide instructions to visitors. We always have a fun evening and are constantly amazed by the generosity of visitors to the display.

Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights, the area’s largest drive-through winter light show, is open nightly through Jan. 1. Tickets and carriage rides make great holiday gifts and proceeds benefit local children and adults with disabilities.

Night after night local businesses provide groups of volunteers without whom the event would not be possible. The IBEW provides tremendous support and volunteer electricians, who keep the bulbs lit and maintain the sixty plus displays. As a community we can be proud of our collective support for this worthwhile event and cause. I would like to recognize my group for their efforts last evening. They are Ryan Vanlaningham, Jennifer and Bernie Nellis, Krista Nance, Julianna Lee, Debbie and Greg Whitmore, Jim Pry and Debbie Walrath.

From local news reports I understand that attendance this year is well down from previous years. Obviously a lot of people are feeling the squeeze from higher fuel costs etc. It occurred to me, while shivering under my umbrella and wondering how much longer until we can shut down at 10:00 PM, that the people that this event is intended to benefit endure far greater challenges and not much will have changed for them by 10:00 PM tonight. And that is why we are doing this. On behalf of the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center, I would ask you to consider visiting Gavin Park one evening this holiday season. Take the kids, take someone else’s kids, or just go on your own. Make a donation to a very worthy cause and enjoy the light show. They need your help this year more than ever before.

For more specific information regarding Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights click here

For a map of the Garvin Park area click here

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