A record-breaking 2,560 cars visited Ballou Park last month during Danville Parks and Recreation’s Community Holiday Light Showand a grand total of $8,804 was given back to the community, making it one of the best seasons in the event’s four-year history.
“Every year, we are taken back by the amount of support this community offers in not only helping us create this show, but by the number of people who visit the park,” said event organizer Lisa Ferguson.
The show ran from Dec. 9 through Dec. 25. During the 16-night span 11,241 people in 2,560 cars visited the show. For those keeping track, this past show’s numbers increase the lifetime totals of the event to 7,677 cars and $27,489 donated back into the community. In the past two years, more than 21,000 individuals have attended.
Ferguson and company could not be more pleased.
“We started this show in 2014 and were excited to have a few busy nights and some good feedback; every year we are amazed at the number of people who visit the park and who have made the light show a holiday tradition for their family,” Ferguson said.
The 2017 show featured more than 20 displays -- all competing for the people’s choice award and a chance to make a contribution to an area organization or nonprofit.
The winners and award amounts were:
- First Place, $1200 – Riverbend Fire Department decorating for Riverbend Volunteer Fire Department
- Second Place, $900 - Goodyear - Danville decorating for United Way of Danville Pittsylvania County
- Third Place, $600 - GWHS Marching Band decorating for GWHS Marching Band
- Fourth Place, $300 - Center for Pediatric Therapies decorating for The Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area, Inc. Autism Fund
- Fifth Place, $200 - Central Boulevard Church of God Youth (Momentum Youth Ministry) decorating for Central Boulevard Church of God Youth
“We want to sincerely extend our deepest gratitude to all of the organizations, families and groups who decorated displays in the cold; re-ran electrical cords in the snow; directed traffic and worked the gates despite frigid temperatures and winter weather; and who helped make this event one of the best holiday events in town,” added Parks and Recreation Director Bill Sgrinia. “We say it every year and it is always true, without support from the community, there is no way we could pull off such a large event.”
All decorating teams: Site 1 - Goodyear - Danville decorating for United Way of Danville Pittsylvania County; Site 2 - Centra Health decorating for Pittsylvania Pet Center; Site 3 - Danville Riverview Rotary decorating for Danville Riverview Rotary; Site 4 - Central Boulevard Church of God Youth (Momentum Youth Ministry) decorating for Central Boulevard Church of God Youth; Site 5 - Danville-Pittsylvania County Habitat for Humanity decorating for Danville-Pittsylvania Habitat for Humanity; Site 6 - Experience Danville Pittsylvania County decorating for Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce Foundation; Site 7 - URW Community FCU decorating for Children's Miracle Network; Site 8 - Da Spot decorating for Remembering Families of Down and Fallen Bikers; Site 9 - Fraternal Order of Eagles Piedmont Aerie 4420 building for Fraternal Order of Eagles Piedmont Aerie 420; Site 12 - Stonewall Therapeutic Recreation Center decorating for Danville Area Non-Profit Network; Site 13 - Tunstall Middle School decorating for Tunstall Middle School PTO; Site 14 - Team Pansies - American Cancer Society decorating for American Cancer Society; Site 15 - Haven of the Dan River Region, Inc. decorating for Haven of the Dan River Region, Inc.; Site 16 - GWHS Marching Band decorating for GWHS Marching Band; Site 17 - Riverbend Volunteer Fire Department decorating for Riverbend Volunteer Fire Department; Site 18 - VIRginia International Raceway decorating for the Danville Boys and Girls Club; Site 19 - Dominion Pool and Spa decorating for Danville Pittsylvania Habitat for Humanity; Site 20 - Old Dutch Supermarket - West Main st. decorating for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Site 21 - Center for Pediatric Therapies decorating for The Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area, Inc. Autism Fund; Site 22 - Trophy and Sign Center decorating for God's Pit Crew; Site 23 - Danville Register and Bee decorating for God's Storehouse; Site 24 - Riverside Roof Truss decorating for Danville Area Non-Profit Network.
Gate workers included: Dec. 9 - GW Band Boosters; Dec. 10 - Christ Temple Apostolic Church; Dec. 11 - Riverview Rotary; Dec. 12 - Sandy’s Angels-Relay for Life Team; Dec. 13 - Riverbend Fire Department; Dec. 14 - Team Pansies American Cancer Society; Dec.15 - Tunstall Middle School Climate Committee; Dec. 16 - Brosville United Methodist Church; Dec. 17 - Danville-Pittsylvania County Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention; Dec. 18 - Central Boulevard Church of God Youth; Dec. 19 - Boys and Girls Clubs of the Danville Area; Dec. 20 - E.A. Gibson Student Government Association; Dec. 21 - Mount Olivet United Methodist Church; Dec. 22 - Active Volleyball Club; Dec. 23 - Danville Shag Club; Dec. 25 - Danville-Pittsylvania County Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention.