14 Nov 2016 Holiday of Lights in Searcy scheduled to kick off Nov. 22

The Searcy Regional Economic Development Corporation recently announced the Holiday of Lights lighting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Berryhill Park and 6 p.m. at the historic downtown court square.

Holiday of Lights was revived a year ago when Dr. David Burks, David Evans and Stuart Dalrymple formed a subcommittee of the Beautification committee to try to bring back the Holiday of Lights after going dark for three years.

“Beautification has the purpose of not just trying to beautify the downtown square, but the whole city in terms of trees, sidewalks, flowers and trying to increase pride in our city,” Burks said. “This fit within the terms of the Holiday of Lights because they are economically bringing visitors to Searcy, and this is something we can take pride in.”

This year, the Beautification committee plans on highlighting the downtown square. According to Burks, it will be similar to last year, but will be extending the Christmas trees down Spring Street to Spring Park. The Rialto exterior will also be finished and lit by Nov. 22.

Burks stated he wants to give the community and visitors more options to visit.

“We’re trying to focus on giving people more than one place to go,” Burks said. “There is the downtown area with a historic courthouse and the Rialto Christmas tree lights. There’s Berryhill Park where most of the light displays are, or they can go to the Harding campus where there is a huge light display.”

“I want the people to take pride in the Christmas season and in the lights we have to enjoy to celebrate the Christmas season,” Burks said. “I would love for families and kids to go and take in all the activities that pertain to the holiday season.”