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Light Up Middletown founder ‘shocked’ by attendance, donations

64,329 people in 18,458 vehicles toured the Light Up Middletown fantasy light display in Smith Park during 38 nights of operation. The 12.5% increase in guests set new records for the event which has been a tradition in downtown Middletown for 13 years.

Photo by David A. Moodie, contributing photographer 64,329 people in 18,458 vehicles toured the Light Up Middletown fantasy light display in Smith Park during 38 nights of operation. The 12.5% increase in guests set new records for the event which has been a tradition in downtown Middletown for 13 years.

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By Rick McCrabb, Staff Writer 7:30 PM Wednesday, January 4, 2012

MIDDLETOWN — During a dark economic time, Light Up Middletown brightened the holidays for a record number of people, organizers said.

The drive-through holiday lights display, in its 13th year, set records for daily and yearly attendance, vehicles and cash donations, said Flo Randall, founder of the event.

Randall said she was “really shocked” that records were broken this year because of the economic downturn. But since the admission charge is donation only, Randall said families struggling financially were able to drive through the display.

“I just think the lights give people a good feeling,” Randall said. “It helps them mentally. I know it does me, but it’s part of my life.”

Randall said the event also set a one-day record for attendance, vehicles and donations. On Dec. 17, 884 vehicles, carrying 3,437 people, drove through Smith Park and donated about $2,000.

Overall, 64,329 people in 18,458 vehicles toured the event during 38 nights of operation. That’s a 12.5 percent increase in attendance over last year which drew 57,150 people. In 2011, about $44,000 was donated, which averages about 69 cents a person.

Randall credited the job the volunteers did decorating Smith Park, and the warm weather for the increase in attendance.

A portion of the donations is used to “pay” other nonprofit organizations whose volunteers staff the entrance tunnel to greet guests and gather statistics. A donation is made each year to the City of Middletown for park improvements and the remainder is used to repair displays and purchase new displays for the next year, Randall said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.

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