By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — The Rochester Park and Recreation Department wants people to enjoy seeing Rochester City Park lit up for the Christmas season.

The department’s first-ever Light Up the Park is Saturday, Dec. 14.

It starts at 7 p.m., with people able to drive through the park by entering off 13th Street to see various Christmas displays set up.

Individuals, groups and businesses are welcome to sign up to host a display in part of the park. Those decorations will be lit through midnight Dec. 14 and continue to be on from 6 p.m. to midnight each night through Saturday, Jan. 4.

It was Jessica Shafer, who does marketing for the department, who came up with the idea.

“I’ve seen the idea in other places and other towns, and we’re trying to come out with new ideas for the park and something to do in the winter,” she said.

The department is supplying the electricity, with people putting up the displays responsible for maintaining them, said Shafer.

She noted people can also sign up after Dec. 14 and still display until Jan. 4.

Sign-up may be done on the Rochester Park & Recreation Facebook page or the department’s website rochesterparkandrecreation.com.

Shafer said a Jeep club plans to be at the park on Dec. 14 with its vehicles decorated for people to see.

Rochester Park and Recreation Board member Kimberlie Landis noted there will also be Christmas carolers from local churches and Santa for visits with kids at Light Up the Park.

She said the event is a nice complement to those with the Facebook group Light up Rochester Indiana, who are putting on a Christmas decoration contest for homes and businesses in Rochester.

“It’s kind of neat that the community is doing it, so each person is picking a station (and) it’s taking a team to collaborate together to do this,” said Shafer of Light Up the Park. “It’s people who are involved and really care about their community as well.”

She added, “It just brings a little cheer to town.”