The all new Festival of Lights will return a lighted holiday drive-through display to Quincy’s Wavering and Moorman Parks this year, beginning on Thanksgiving through New Year’s day.
It’s been 20 years since the former display hosted its inaugural year in the park in 1999 as the Avenue of Lights. The new Festival of Lights will be starting over as the former displays were sold since its final year in 2014. “Its was certainly a challenge in bringing a display back to the park, as outside of a few items, most of the former displays are just no longer available. This is an opportunity to begin again and introduce a brand new display in the park 20 years after the opening of the original Avenue of Lights display;” said Festival of Lights President, Eric Dooley.
Its returning a family tradition that motivates us to return a display back to the park said Dooley. “We are inspired by what now will allow a new generation of children and their families to grow up having seen a display from its very first year; watching and seeing the display grow bigger and more exciting every year than the year before,” continued Dooley.
The Festival of Lights is following the lead of the former Avenue of Lights Display. “They really have paved the way in serving as such an example for us. The Avenue of Lights was an incredible display that we will always aspire to resemble,” said Dooley.
Eric said that a lot of credit for the new display goes to Bob Scott of Scotties Fun Spot, who was instrumental in the former display. “When we wanted to return a display to the park, Bob stepped in and has really served as a mentor in passing both his knowledge and experience of those 16 years on in helping the Festival of Lights resume the work of providing a display in the Quincy park,” continued Dooley
The new Festival of Lights, like the former display, is a nonprofit corporation that relies on volunteers and community support to provide the display. “In every way, the future of the display is determined by community support. Volunteers are the cornerstone of the display becoming a reality and the generosity of others allows us to add new items and additional displays to create new excitement every year to light up the park for the Holidays. If you share the same passion for having the display in the Quincy community and would like to support the display with your contribution or are willing to volunteer your time, we hope to hear from you, because the display relies on people just like you to make the project possible,” concluded Dooley.
If you would like to reach the Festival of Lights, you can learn more at QuincyLights.org or by calling 217-636-3966