Searcy (LP) In 2015, after a five year hiatus, Searcy’s Holiday of Lights (presented by the Searcy Regional Economic Development Corp., the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the city of Searcy) returned to the city. This year, the 26th anniversary of the original Holiday of lights, it is once again becoming an annual occurrence.
When asked about the reasoning behind the removal of the ceremony, Searcy Mayor, David Morris, said, “Due to city finances and deterioration of old equipment, it faded out.” The city officials and event staff estimated that the lights would cost about $250,000 on the festivities, $36,000 of that going into police presence alone. Searcy Community member, Angela Shaw, says, “I was so happy when they announced the lights were coming back last year, and I’m even happier that they’re continuing the tradition this year. It’s such a beautiful festival and it makes the town so filled with joy.”
The lights aren’t in one specific place in the community. There are lights and decorations at Berryhill Park, Harding University, Downtown Searcy, and Spring Park (which has also added a temporary ice skating rink for the holiday season). In addition, there are festivities happening at the Pioneer Village, a Christmas play at Center on the Square Fridays-Sundays, the largest Santa collection in Arkansas at the Searcy Art Gallery, a living nativity at First Assembly of God, the annual Holiday of Lights Christmas Parade on December 10th, and opportunities to visit Santa in his hut downtown. Searcy Junior Jamie Hall says, “The lights and other little Christmasy things that happen here have always been my favorite thing. I just love Christmas in general!”
The Searcy High School Band played at the first kick-off ceremony on November 22nd at Berryhill park, and some of their members contributed to the Harding University Band by playing at the Ceremony on Harding Campus on November 30th. The lights will be turned off around January 5th, but all in all, Searcy Residents are excited to have the lights back in their beloved town for the Holiday Season.
