RAPID RIVER, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Delta County holiday celebration is shaping up to be better than ever thanks to a grant from Enbridge.
The Rapid River Business Association hosted the inaugural Lights in the Park in 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a drive-through Christmas light display grew to be much more in the following years.
“We started out with a $200 budget,” said Bobbi Ryan, a member of the Rapid River Business Association. “People were very generous. It grew and grew and grew, and we got miles of extension cords. It went to a food drive and scholarships and an opportunity for kids to make money in the concession stand to go on their senior trips. We’re always looking for more funds to make it bigger.”
This holiday season, Enbridge has provided funds to do just that. A regular participant in the event, Enbridge has granted $3,500 to this year’s Lights in the Park as part of the company’s Fueling Futures program.
Ryan says that money will go a long way toward filling Masonville Township Park with thousands of lights, as well as Christmas spirit.
“I love small town,” Ryan said. “I grew up in a small town. I live by the ‘small but mighty’ theory. I think people generally want to help if they know. My role in the whole thing is to let people know that we can do this cool thing if we partner up together. I want to publicly say how much we appreciate companies and individuals stepping forward to help us out.”
Lights in the Park is scheduled for December 7, 14, and 21. Volunteers are welcome to help set up this year’s display over the next few Saturdays, starting around 10 a.m. For updates on Lights in the Park, follow the Rapid River Business Association on Facebook.