‘Light Up the Park’ Goes Dark In Avon Lake

 The lights have dimmed on an annual Avon Lake tradition. which featured complimentary hot chocolate, a DJ, and Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by fire truck to Bleser Park which was lit up with holiday lights by night’s end, has been put on an indefinite hiatus.

Mayor Greg Zilka said the city will refocus on touring holiday displays locally.

“In year’s past, the reaction from adults and children when the lights were turned on was underwhelming,” Zilka said.

He said the reaction from some attendees was, “Is this all there is?”

“We have far more impressive displays around the community,” Zilka said.

Instead, the city is hosting a bus tour during the evening hours of Dec. 14 of some of the city’s most festively lie homes and businesses. The evening starts with dinner at the Old Firehouse Community Center followed by the tour and then cookies at the Old Firehouse.

“We have about 75 people booked,” Zilka said of the event. “It’s sold out.”

Zilka said he’d like to build on the concept next year, noting it would be nice to end the tour with dinner at an Avon Lake restaurant and support local business.

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