Lorain/Elyria, OH
Main Street saves Ely Square holiday display
Print this story
Read comments and discuss this story
ELYRIA — Finwood Estate will be devoid of holiday cheer but Ely Square will soon twinkle with holiday lights.
Just not in the way residents have seen in the past.
The budget Scrooge in the city may have declared “Bah, Humbug!” when it comes to paying for the annual Festival of Lights from city coffers, but a group of dedicated holiday helpers are making sure there’ll be lights in the park.
Instead of strings of light on every tree, bush and lamppost, 40 to 65 donated trees will be decorated in time for Santa’s arrival.
“We will have only what we can light because Main Street Elyria is covering the cost of the entire event,” said Tamela Grubb, executive director. “Electrical and everything has to come from Main Street. No city workers can be involved beyond just turning on the lights and then setting them on a timer, and that has to be done during the day.”
The lights at Ely Square will be the only lights twinkling on city property this year.
Because of budget cuts, Mayor Bill Grace said Finwood Estate, the 45-acre property owned by the late Judge Guy Findley that was deeded over to the city for use as a park, will not be decorated for the holidays this year.
A trust set up by the judge only covers about $10,000 of the $50,000 yearly cost of lighting the displays and providing staff. Grace said the city cannot afford to subsidize the remaining cost of erecting the winter wonderland.
“Right now, we are using the fund for people to maintain the property and plan to use it into next year to continue to maintain the property,” he said.
But there is always Ely Square.
This year’s festivities, to be held 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in the square, will mark the 20th anniversary of the Festival of Lights. New this year is the introduction of the Holiday Hope Trees.
“For a $30 sponsorship, a Holiday Hope Tree will be placed in Ely Square in the donor’s honor and covers the electrical expense for the lights,” Grubb said. “The placement of the beautiful 6-foot-tall blue spruce trees with tree stands donated by Don Moulds Plantation draped with LED lights donated by Elyria Hardware and decorations by local Elyria school children will surround the square.”
The display will stay up until the weekend of Dec. 20, when they will be delivered to local needy families.
And while Main Street Elyria is leading the charge to keep the tradition alive, others have chipped in, too. Several community leaders, businesses and local community organizations are aiding in the events designed to welcome Santa to Elyria amid an array of twinkling lights.
The Elyria Kiwanis, Sunrise Rotary, the American Red Cross, Abbewood, Salvation Army, Elyria Public Library and the local business owners are all collaborating on the event.
“Our main thing is remembering the season and getting back to the spirit of community by keeping our traditions alive,” Grubb said. “We need to hold onto traditions more now than ever before.”
The event will be made complete by strolling carolers performing in Ely Square and downtown businesses hosting their annual holiday open houses.
A live nativity will perform at First Congregational Church and Lorain National Bank will host a book reading by Mrs. Claus.
The Boy Scouts will light the luminarias created by local children. Children who attend the Festival of Lights will receive a treat bag as well as have the opportunity to visit with Santa at his workshop after the lighting at about 5:30 p.m.
“Even though it may not be as well done as the city has done in the past, we thought it is a tradition the community needs to have,” Grubb said. “This will take us back to a time when community was about what you did for your neighbor.”
For more information on sponsoring a Holiday Hope Tree or donating lights and decorations, call Main Street Elyria at (440) 322-5000 or visit www.mainstreetelyria.com.
Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.
Print this story
Report an innappropriate comment
In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement
and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered,
click here.
If you are registered, click here to log in.
Need help? Email Us.
I hope the regular posters on this site actually read this article. Otherwise there is going to be posts about how Grace is wasting money on xmas lights downtown like he does the flowers which are also paid for by businesses and people donating.
I am sorry to hear about Finwood estates, that is always a highight of the season for our family.
(Report comment)
CB
Right, there will be loads of posters come on here to ruin the Holliday sprit. Personally speaking because I have complained about things that Grace has been involved in as far as wasting money when I read this story in print, I thought how sad and coming on here to comment on it one way or the other didn’t enter my mind. Just my opinion CB, you should have just let this one slide by yourself.
Happy Holidays
(Report comment)
CB
I should apologize; I too should have just let this story slide by, the citizens of this city knows very well that Grace isn’t to blame for the Holiday lights at either Finwood or Ely Park.
Again I apologize
(Report comment)
I couldn’t be happier to hear about Ely Square and a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to everyone making it happen.
I’m sure I’ll be taking my granddaughters there to enjoy it.
C.B. said ” I am sorry to hear about Finwood estates, that is always a highight of the season for our family. ”
It’s a highlight for my family too. Elyria has always done an awesome display (including Santa) for everyone to enjoy.
THAT has been a family tradition for my family dating back to when my daughters were small.
I can’t tell you how sad it is they won’t be experiencing it this year.
I’m sure MANY families feel the same way!
(Report comment)
It is sad that Finwood will not be lit up and neither will the downtown area be completely lit like in the past. Hopefully, enough donations will come in and it will be every bit as good as in the past.
(Report comment)
“Our main thing is remembering the season and getting back to the spirit of community by keeping our traditions alive,” Grubb said. “We need to hold onto traditions more now than ever before.”……………AMEN!!!!
(Report comment)
What about the EXTRA plugs that were installed on the New Light Pole Forest , does this mean The Boy Blunder wont be putting up X_mas lights on them ?
(Report comment)
Some articles that bring good news are just that, good news. No negativity needed.
(Report comment)
I agree - a huge thank you for the people donating.
Our family is giving to charity this year instead of spending it on Christmas gifts. We hope to adopt a family or two at work also.
I do hope that all of us that HAVE jobs are thankful and hope that if able, we remember there are a lot of people in Elyria that are truly struggling this holiday season. Even a dollar here and there help.
God bless all.
(Report comment)
DD - no apology needed.
Its just a good article and it explains where the money is coming from.
Christmas music is already playing on the radio!
Is Halloween over already?
(Report comment)
Couldn’t we have paid for Finwood out of the water & sewer rates increases? It seems like we’re paying EVERYTHING else out of it, except what is was allegedly intended for.
(Report comment)
If they would have funded Finwood everyone would complain that we are laying off police & fire, yet paying for the Finwood display. Damned if they do damned if they don’t…
(Report comment)
Very true Maggie!
(Report comment)
If you’re referring to my post Maggie, it was tongue in cheek. The water & sewer increases were nothing more than a tax increase in disguise.
(Report comment)