The Ludington Area Festival of Lights came full circle yesterday during a heartfelt presentation ceremony at Safe Harbor Credit Union, where a remarkable total of $18,469.71 was distributed to local non-profits and competition winners. The event celebrated not just the funds raised but the community spirit and dedication that made this year’s Festival such an extraordinary success.
Chris Nicholas of 102.7 WMOM and Hot Country Hits 99.9 had a vision of creating a holiday experience that would unite the Ludington community, and this year’s Festival of Lights turned that vision into a reality. From its inception to its execution, Nicholas led the charge, organizing an event that captured the hearts of over 20,000 visitors and showcased Ludington’s generosity, creativity, and collaborative spirit.
While the vision started with Nicholas, it took a village of volunteers, businesses, and organizations to bring it to life. Companies like At The Peak Roofing played a pivotal role, taking responsibility for decorating the trees and office area at the heart of the Festival, while Chris and his team designed and created the entire first and second half of the drive thru. This beautifully lit centerpiece seamlessly connected the first half of the event to the second, creating a striking transition that visitors loved.
Combined with the strong listenership of the radio stations and social media outreach, the goal was to reach as many people as possible and ensure they could experience the magic of the Festival of Lights. Together, the entire community worked to make this event a beloved tradition for Ludington.
Local businesses played a crucial role in funding the Festival of Lights through generous sponsorships, helping to make the event a reality. Alongside their support, a sizable contribution from Chris Nicholas’ companies ensured the success of the Festival. The radio station purchased all the items used during the event so they remain in the Ludington community, allowing the Festival to grow and improve each year with new additions. This collaboration ensures the Festival will continue to be a cherished holiday tradition for years to come
A Packed Presentation Ceremony
Nearly 100 attendees gathered at Safe Harbor Credit Union for the presentation and to enjoy Hungry Howie’s pizza. The event was streamed live here, including recognizing business sponsors, volunteers, community members, contestants, and students from Gateway to Success Academy and Ludington High School Industrial Arts Class. The room was filled with warmth and excitement as stories were shared, checks were handed out, and plans for the Festival’s future began to take shape.
The presence of students added a special touch to the ceremony. Many from Gateway to Success and Ludington High School had been instrumental in building the lighted displays and scenes that became highlights of the Festival. Their work, creativity, and pride in their contributions were celebrated throughout the event.
[Live video of Presentation: https://www.facebook.com/checkoutthelights/videos/973842804592557]
Celebrating Non-Profit Contributions
A key highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of checks to four local non-profits, who together received 50% of the gate proceeds:
- Western Michigan Fair Board: $4,549.71
A cornerstone of the community, the Fair Board continues to ensure the fairgrounds remain a vibrant space for events and gatherings. Their support of the Festival of Lights reflects their commitment to bringing people together. - Ms. Sawyer’s Kids with a Cause: $3,184.79
This youth-led organization supports veterans and active-duty military personnel, empowering young people to create positive change. Their mission aligned perfectly with the Festival’s spirit of giving. - Radiant Church: $3,184.79
Known for their outreach programs, Radiant Church has been a source of hope and support for families in need throughout Ludington. Their involvement helped strengthen the community impact of the Festival. - Ziva Network: $4,549.71
Dedicated to helping survivors of human trafficking, Ziva Network provides critical resources and advocacy for those most in need. Their participation highlighted the Festival’s ability to support meaningful causes.
Competition Winners Honored
The Festival’s interactive competitions encouraged creativity and community engagement, with winners announced during the ceremony:
- Individual and Family Tree Winner:
Tree #2, created by Angela Sharnowski and family, earned the top prize of $1,000 for its stunning and heartfelt design.
- Non-Profit Tree Winner:
Tree B, titled “Helping Others Prosper (H.O.P.),” took home the $1,000 prize for its creative and inspiring design.
- Ludington High School Industrial Arts Class Winner:
The winning structure, “Lamp from A Christmas Story,” was designed by students Grady Sailor, Matt Odegaard, and Liam Torrez, who split the $1,000 prize equally. This display, along with 10 others crafted by their classmates, was a shining example of teamwork and creativity.
Highlights from the Festival
The Ludington Area Festival of Lights wasn’t just an event—it became a hub of connection, joy, and holiday magic for thousands of visitors. Throughout its duration, stories emerged that showcased the deep impact it had on the community and beyond.
For many, the Festival became an experience worth repeating. Families and individuals returned multiple times, driving through the displays again and again to take in all the intricate details and the immersive features. The synchronized music, lighted tunnels, and glowing displays created a scene that was impossible to experience fully in just one visit. Visitors of all ages remarked on how they kept noticing something new each time they came through, making the event feel fresh and magical with every return.
One of the most memorable aspects of the Festival was the pride it instilled in the students who had contributed to the displays. Students from Gateway to Success Academy and Ludington High School’s Industrial Arts Class worked tirelessly to create scenes and structures that delighted visitors. Families of these students came through the Festival specifically to see their loved ones’ work illuminated, capturing photos and sharing in the excitement. For the students, seeing their designs brought to life in such a public and celebratory way was an unforgettable moment of accomplishment.
The Festival’s reach extended far beyond Ludington. On the very last night, a mom and daughter made the decision to drive straight from Wisconsin, where they had been visiting family, to ensure they could see the Festival before it ended. Their story highlights just how far people were willing to travel to experience the magic of the lights. It’s moments like these that show the potential for the Festival to continue growing and drawing visitors from even farther afield in the years to come.
Interactive elements, such as the lighted tunnels and synchronized music, quickly became crowd favorites. Visitors loved being able to tune their radios to hear music perfectly synced with the displays, creating a fully immersive experience. The first half of the route featured timeless Christmas classics, setting a nostalgic and cozy tone, while the second half picked up the energy with the powerful melodies of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This attention to detail, ensuring no overlap between channels, added a professional and polished touch that left visitors raving about the experience.
The pay-it-forward spirit that emerged during the Festival was another beautiful highlight. On one designated pay-it-forward night, nearly every single car—between 150 and 200 vehicles—paid for the admission of the car behind them. The joy and generosity continued on other nights as well, as many visitors chose to quietly extend their kindness to strangers. These acts of goodwill brought an extra layer of warmth and holiday spirit to the event, showing just how connected the community truly is.
For senior citizens and healthcare facility residents, adjustments were made to ensure they could participate in the Festival despite some logistical challenges. When the arches proved too low for their buses to pass through, the team quickly developed an alternative route with lighted pathways that preserved the full experience. Medilodge even conducted a practice run during the day to ensure everything would run smoothly. On the night of their visit, the excitement and smiles of the residents made all the extra effort worthwhile. These accommodations allowed multiple healthcare facilities to bring their residents out to enjoy the lights, ensuring no one was left out of the holiday magic.
Stories of merchandise sales added another layer of charm to the Festival. Hooded sweatshirts bearing the Festival’s logo were a hit, with proceeds supporting local charities. One particularly memorable moment involved a mom and daughter who initially decided against purchasing a sweatshirt but returned after driving through the lights. They said, “We’ve got to have that hoodie. That was so amazing!” Their excitement mirrored the reactions of many others who left with keepsakes to commemorate the experience.
The Festival was also affordable and accessible to all. With an admission price of just $10 per car and $2 coupons available, families of all sizes were able to participate without financial strain. The event’s affordability, combined with its quality, ensured that everyone in the community had a chance to share in the joy and wonder of the season.
The Festival would not have been possible without the teamwork and problem-solving of key partners like Hardman Construction, SRM Concrete, and Larsen’s Landscaping, who stepped up when challenges arose. During one of the first major snowstorms, the PVC arches began bowing under the weight of ice and snow, threatening to collapse. Hardman Construction immediately responded, arriving on-site with 40-foot rebar rods to reinforce the arches. SRM Concrete then provided fiberglass rods to add further stability, ensuring the arches could stand strong for the remainder of the Festival. Their efforts saved the arches and allowed the displays to shine for thousands of visitors.
Similarly, Larsen’s Landscaping played a critical role in keeping the Festival running smoothly during harsh weather conditions. When heavy snow in an open area near the airport and fairgrounds overwhelmed standard equipment, Larsen’s team stepped in with heavy machinery to clear the route. After finishing another project at Walmart, they brought out their loaders and salt trucks to ensure the entire Festival route was safe and accessible. Their dedication and collaboration with other partners kept the magic alive even during the toughest nights.
The challenges faced by the team throughout the Festival only underscored its success. From the wind and snowstorms that required creative problem-solving to ensure displays stayed standing, to the incredible teamwork between sponsors, volunteers, and staff, every obstacle became a story of resilience and collaboration.
The Ludington Area Festival of Lights wasn’t just an event—it was a testament to the power of community and the magic of the holiday season.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The success of this year’s Festival has sparked enthusiasm for 2025, with plans to nearly double the number of scenes and features. This includes expanding the beloved lighted tunnels, adding new displays, and refreshing favorites to keep the experience exciting for returning visitors.
The tree competitions are also set to grow, with plans to spread out the trees and involve more participants. Sign-ups for individual, family, and non-profit tree decorating contests will open later this year, with many organizations already expressing interest.
Traffic control improvements are also in the works, building on the efforts of the Michigan State Police and local law enforcement, who provided invaluable assistance during this year’s busiest nights.
A Community United
“As we look back on this year’s Festival, we are overwhelmed by the generosity, creativity, and community spirit that made it all possible,” said Chris Nicholas, the event’s visionary and organizer. “This event was a dream brought to life, and seeing the smiles, hearing the stories, and celebrating the connections made it all worth it. We can’t wait to grow this Festival even more in 2025.”
With $18,469.71 distributed to non-profits and competition winners, over 20,000 visitors, and countless memories created, the Ludington Area Festival of Lights has become a beloved tradition. The future is bright, and the Ludington community is ready to shine even brighter next year.
