20 Nov 2023 Conway Corp electric crews hang holiday cheer

CONWAY – Nothing says Christmas quite like holiday lights. Conway Corp electric crews could be found this week hanging giant snowflake decorations from poles in a two-mile radius from Oak Street to Prairie Street. They can be seen on several poles downtown.  

Conway Corp has been helping the Conway Area Chamber and the City of Conway with hanging Christmas decorations for as long as they have been a part of our community. The public utility has installed Christmas decorations since the 1960s, when wreaths were hung throughout the business district downtown.  

“The chamber of commerce purchased the current decorations for downtown in the mid-1990s,” Conway Corp Chief Marketing Officer Crystal Kemp said. “Linda Roster White, a local real estate agent, led a chamber committee to fundraise with the business community to sponsor the project and to purchase the snowflakes. Conway Corp has been hanging them up since that time.”

Because of their age and normal wear and tear, the Conway Downtown Partnership had to have them all rewired several years ago. 

Underground Service Technician Gordon Valentine, a 23-year veteran employee, said he is proud of the tradition. “We’re proud to be able to do this in our community,” he said.  “I remember bringing my daughters, who are grown now, to see the lights.”

Apprentice Lineman Kyle Troxler has been putting up lights for the past four years, but said this year is extra special as he just welcomed his first son. “I’m a new daddy so we’ll be out here looking at them soon. He doesn’t know what’s going on right now, but we’ll definitely continue to come out and look at them. I’m glad we do this.” 

The lights will be up until the first week of January.