The Easterseals Rehabilitation Center reports another successful season for Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights, with the 30thannual light show raising $186,117 between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. In the 30 years of the event, net proceeds have now reached more than $4.5 million to underwrite essential therapy services and inclusive early education at the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center.
Event traffic increased by 20% over the previous year, with an approximate total of 15,340 vehicles (including horse-drawn carriages) visiting this year’s display. Easterseals estimates this year’s proceeds will help to underwrite more than 2,000 therapy sessions for local children and adults with disabilities.
This year’s total also included an impressive approximate $29,250 in extra donations from Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights visitors, above and beyond their admission fees. Throughout the 40-night event, the community showed up again and again – whether it was to find Andy the Elf in the Park and interact with Easterseals on social media, or to attend the annual Bright Lights 5k race and 1-mile community walk – all to support the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center.
 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 80 display sponsors, and all the companies, community organizations, and private families who volunteered throughout the event.
Details for the 31st annual Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights are already in the works with plans to replace some older displays and provide opportunities for new display sponsors. It will open on Thanksgiving night and will run through New Year’s Day. More information on the annual event can be found at https://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 Advertising, Tools 4 Teaching, 99.5 WKDQ, MY105.3, 103 GBF, KISS 106, Newstalk 1280 AM, 92.5 WBKR, 1490AM/99.1 FM WOMI, Kenny Kent Chevrolet. Special thanks to the Evansville Department of Parks & Recreation for their continued support of Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights in Garvin Park.
