C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

CAPTION: Chillicothe Parks and Recreation employees string up some lights on one of Simpson Park’s large trees near the playground area Wednesday morning. The work is being done in preparation for the annual Festival of Lights and organizers say several new displays have been added, including an animated toy soldier, a waving Santa and a Santa’s workshop.

The Festival of Lights in Simpson Park, a holiday tradition since 2005, will kick off with a celebration lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. According to Audrey Svec, coordinator, several new displays have been added, including an animated toy soldier, a waving Santa and a Santa’s workshop. More snowmen and angels have also been placed. The addition of extra electricity has allowed some surprises to be placed along the walking trail.

Volunteers have been soliciting donations, ordering lights and displays, placing the displays, making plaques for new donors, and coordinating the festival of lights celebration plans. They have also been busy draping garland on all the bridges, lamp posts, the tennis court, and swimming pool, plus stringing lights on various bushes and small trees.

This year, Chillicothe Municipal Utilities has committed to taking on the responsibility of setting up many of the displays as well as erecting the arches. “We are thrilled that the City Council with the concurrence of the Park Board has made the Parks Department responsible for putting up the lights on all the large trees in Simpson Park,” Svec said. “We appreciate the commitment of support by the city entities for the Festival of Lights.”

Svec said that volunteers can devote their time and talent to the tasks that present themselves every year to coordinate the details that take place behind the scenes to allow the festival of lights to become a reality.