 Despite weather issues throughout the season, the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center estimates another successful season with the 29th annual light show raising $219,470 between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. In the 29 years of the event, net proceeds have now reached more than $4.3 million to underwrite essential therapy services and inclusive early education at the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center.
An approximate total of 12,259 vehicles (including horse-drawn carriages) visited this year’s display.Easterseals estimates this year’s proceeds will help to underwrite as many as 4,389 therapy sessions for local children and adults with disabilities.
This year’s total also included an impressive approximate $26,631 in extra donations from Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights visitors, above and beyond their admission fees. Throughout the 39-night event, the community showed up again and again to support the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center. These additional donations helped to offset the two nights the event was closed due to dangerous low temperatures and the added cost to heat a trailer for event volunteers during Christmas week. Organizers would like to specially thank Audubon Chrysler Center for providing the additional volunteer trailer and Sunbelt Rentals Climate Control Division for helping to devise a plan and upgrading the rented portable heating system.
During the upcoming weekend, hard-working volunteers from Teamsters Local 215, Operating Engineers 181, Feller Towing, Meisler’s Trailers, IBEW Local 16, NECA, and Electrical JATC will dismantle and remove light displays at Evansville’s Garvin Park. The annual fundraising event and holiday tradition wouldn’t be possible without the expertise and time donated by members of these groups. Additionally, Easterseals wants to thank the more than 70 display sponsors, and all the companies, community organizations, and private families who volunteered throughout the event.
The 30th annual Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights is already being planned. It will open on Thanksgiving night and will run through New Year’s Day. More information on the annual event can be found athttps://ritzysfantasyoflights.com.
Companies, organizations, churches and families interested in sponsoring a light display or volunteering at the event are invited to contact Easterseals Director of Special Events, Carolyn Franklin, at 812.437.2607.
Major sponsors are Ritzy’s, IBEW Local 16, NECA, Teamsters Local 215, Electrical JATC, International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT) DC91, IUOE Local 181 – Operating Engineers, ABC 25 / CW 7, Evansville Living, Lamar, Kenny Kent Chevrolet, Tools 4 Teaching, 104.1 WIKY, HOT96, 93.5 The Lloyd, and 107.5 WABX. Special thanks to the Evansville Department of Parks & Recreation for their continued support of Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights in Garvin Park.
