Winter lights on Kingsville nights

For more than a quarter of a century, residents of Kingsville have enjoyed the lights displayed at Lakeside Park during the winter season.

An event started by members of the community and eventually adopted by the town, Fantasy of Lights has a long list of sponsors and donors, including frames for lights provided by Kingsville District High School.

Maggie Rudocher is the program manager for parks and recreation in Kingsville and feels that events like Fantasy of lights are essential.

“Events … are a core practice of ours and are very important to the community,” said Rudocher.

The parks and recreation department is also responsible for painting and maintaining the lights on the frames in the park.

Almost every night there are a dozen individuals that walk the gravel paths at the Kingsville park with their loved ones and friends.

Maria Edwards, 60, is the owner of New Designs, a Kingsville business for more than 30 years. She’s also lived in Kingsville for 50 years. New Designs is an active participant in supporting the community in Kingsville and their events.

Edwards said she sees how it helps town life every year and “drives traffic into town.”

New Designs also has a light frame on display at the park that they sponsored this season.

For the 27th year, the lights will remain lining the paths at Lakeside Park until Jan. 8 — and there is little doubt it will return next winter.