RAPID RIVER, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Delta County community is working together to spread Christmas cheer this December.
Every holiday season, Masonville Township Park transforms for Lights in the Park.
“I love Christmas, and it actually started right after COVID,” said Bobbi Ryan, owner of Jack’s Restaurant. “We had a lot of people that were depressed, they were sick, there were some suicides in the area.”
The community needed some hope, so Ryan decided to head up a new tradition. Lights in the Park is a drive-through or ride-through winter wonderland that runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on December 6, 13, and 20.
“We have people come in and check out the lights and see Santa,” Ryan said. “Kids from the school will have a concession stand. It’s just a huge community thing. It was supposed to be a one-shot, but it keeps growing.”
While there is no admission fee, guests are asked to bring non-perishable food donations to support those in need.
“I think food this year is important, and monetary donations are great too,” said Ryan. “That’s why we keep doing it. The first two weekends, the food goes to the local food bank. The last weekend, RRN will have their Stuff the Studio out here.”
Lights in the Park is a big undertaking. This year, volunteers started setting everything up on November 8.
“Miles and miles of cords,” Ryan said. “Last I heard on inflatables, it was somewhere around 84 inflatables. It’s only going to get bigger. It’s a great thing for the community. People look forward to it.”
Local businesses have designed each of the unique displays guests will see throughout the park.
“Enbridge is our big backer,” said Ryan. “The trees were built by the Enbridge guys. We’ve got Tom from the [Rapid River] Pub out here. Bay Bank has a display out there. The Dairy Flo has a display, and they come out and work. Everybody that can put in a couple hours tries to put in a couple hours.”
Lights in the Park is designed to be accessible for everyone. The event shines bright as a reminder of local community members’ dedication to their neighbors.
“Christmas is important,” she said. “It’s like feeding people. Feeding people brings people together; this brings people together. There was a couple people that stopped through the gate last year and said, ‘I really needed this. Thank you for doing it.’ It’s important to people.”
For additional information on Lights in the Park, visit the Rapid River Business Association Facebook page. Anyone interested in directing traffic or helping to take down the display can send a message to the Facebook page or call Ryan at (906) 339-1748.
