Great Parks of Hamilton County announced it will no longer host its “Holiday in Lights” drive-thru show in Sharon Woods. Parks will instead launch a new event called “Holidays on the Farm” at Parky’s Farm in Winton Woods. The event will allow guests to experience winter holidays in the outdoors with themed event and activities. "Holidays on the Farm will be about experiencing the season in nature, even with a chill in the air," said Todd Palmeter, CEO of Great Parks. "The amazing increase in park visitors the past couple of years has reinforced to us how much the community values the wellness benefits of exploring outdoor spaces. This gathering will be a great opportunity to recharge and reconnect with friends and family while rediscovering all the amazing sights at Parky's Farm in the winter."Parky’s Farm will included self-guided lighted nature trails in the woods, hayrides, caroling music, meet-and-greets with Great Parks animals and pictures with Santa. The farm will also feature a beer garden as well as other drink and food options. The announcement led to mix reactions in the community, with many residents upset with the ending of a decades-long tradition. “Holiday in Lights” organizers took to social media over the weekend, expressing their disappointment over the switch. The Alleen Company is the vendor used to create and operate Holiday in Lights. According to Operations Manager Nick Kaeser, his company learned in early spring that Great Parks was transitioning away from the drive-through light display."I've had a lot of people call and say we're really disappointed that we can't continue this family tradition right now," Kaeser said. "They were just wondering why the parks, to put it bluntly "kicking us out."A petition to save the light show has already received more than 2,000 signatures. "We are heartbroken to announce that Great Parks of Hamilton County no longer wishes to host Holiday in Lights 5K race and light show at Sharon Woods," the petition said. "This holiday light show has been a Cincinnati tradition for over 31 years and the 5K for over 12 years," the petition read in part. WLWT reached out to Great Parks for comment about the backlash over the decision. The organization said the decision was due to a competition of drive-thru light shows and declining attendance numbers. Parks said they have received positive feedback about the change. For more information, visit the Great Parks website.
Great Parks of Hamilton County announced it will no longer host its “Holiday in Lights” drive-thru show in Sharon Woods.
Parks will instead launch a new event called “Holidays on the Farm” at Parky’s Farm in Winton Woods.
The event will allow guests to experience winter holidays in the outdoors with themed event and activities.
"Holidays on the Farm will be about experiencing the season in nature, even with a chill in the air," said Todd Palmeter, CEO of Great Parks. "The amazing increase in park visitors the past couple of years has reinforced to us how much the community values the wellness benefits of exploring outdoor spaces. This gathering will be a great opportunity to recharge and reconnect with friends and family while rediscovering all the amazing sights at Parky's Farm in the winter."
Parky’s Farm will included self-guided lighted nature trails in the woods, hayrides, caroling music, meet-and-greets with Great Parks animals and pictures with Santa.
The farm will also feature a beer garden as well as other drink and food options.
The announcement led to mix reactions in the community, with many residents upset with the ending of a decades-long tradition.
“Holiday in Lights” organizers took to social media over the weekend, expressing their disappointment over the switch.
The Alleen Company is the vendor used to create and operate Holiday in Lights. According to Operations Manager Nick Kaeser, his company learned in early spring that Great Parks was transitioning away from the drive-through light display.
"I've had a lot of people call and say we're really disappointed that we can't continue this family tradition right now," Kaeser said. "They were just wondering why the parks, to put it bluntly "kicking us out."
A petition to save the light show has already received more than 2,000 signatures.
"We are heartbroken to announce that Great Parks of Hamilton County no longer wishes to host Holiday in Lights 5K race and light show at Sharon Woods," the petition said. "This holiday light show has been a Cincinnati tradition for over 31 years and the 5K for over 12 years," the petition read in part.
WLWT reached out to Great Parks for comment about the backlash over the decision. The organization said the decision was due to a competition of drive-thru light shows and declining attendance numbers. Parks said they have received positive feedback about the change.
For more information, visit the Great Parks website.
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