The People Behind The Heritage Park Lights

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Adrian, MI – The Heritage Park Holiday Light display has been a tradition of the City of Adrian for well over 20 years. The light display is free to the community and the City makes sure it is something residents can count on every Christmas season. Jeremiah Davies, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that they consider the lights display a “quality of life amenity.” While he oversees the project as a whole, he stated the project happens because of a small group of employees who work really hard at preparing it each year.

(Davies’ full quote is here)

That small group of guys that Davies referred to includes full-time employee Doug Lolley, seasonal employee Eddie Flores and retiree Mark Anderson.  Anderson told WLEN news that he retired in 2021 and passed the torch to Lolley, but he also came back to lend a hand because the project means a lot to him.

(Anderson’s reason for returning is here)

Lolley explained that he puts away the mowers on October 31st each year and he jumps right into preparing the lights. When asked where the new displays come from, Lolley explained that they create them in their workshop. They specifically work with The Adrian Center for the Arts, a local non-profit organization, to design new displays each year. Once an artist draws the new display, it is placed on a piece of plywood and then Lolley welds the metal to design and passes it off to Flores, who then adds the lights.

(Lolley’s full explanation is here)

Flores explained that each new piece takes time to make. Some of the displays can take a minimum of fifteen hours, while smaller ones might only take six hours. They work with all the fine details to make sure that you know what you are looking at. He encourages residents to check out the Grinch who he said they worked hard at to make sure it looked just like the Grinch.

(Flores’ full comment on the Grinch)

Flores calls all of it a process, one that clearly this team has down pact. They all chimed in with estimating how many hours the entire process takes and they all agreed at least 800 hours each season. Even though the time commitment seems like a huge undertaking, Flores said they are not done, they want more lights. He said they do this for the kids, and despite how cold it might be or how frustrated they might get, they remind each other of what former employee, the late Walter Vogel, used to say to them, “it’s for the kids.”

(Flores’ full comment on it being for the kids)

The City of Adrian not only prepares the lights for the kids but also includes them in the process. The barn at the front of the park is designed and decorated by the Lenawee Intermediate School District Robotics and Graphic Design students. A partnership that allows Lenawee County students to use their skills and show case them to their community.

In addition to the light displays of years past, visitors can expect to see R2D2, C3PO and multiple Yodas this year. Displays that everyone will enjoy, but especially Star Wars fans.

Fairfield resident, Brandi De La Garza, commented that her family goes to the park to see the lights at least a couple times each year. She said this year was even better and that her family noticed more lights, new displays and even moving robotic displays. De La Garza said they had a great time as a family this year.

(De La Garza’s full quote about their experience)

For community members with children who have not yet seen the lights, there is a great opportunity this Saturday. The Lions’ Clubs of Lenawee County are hosting an evening with Santa from 5:30 pm until 8:30 pm at the Stubnitz Environmental Center in the back of Heritage Park. In addition to meeting Santa, kids will be able to participate in activities, including Hayrides around the park.

(Lolley talks about the event)

Flores invites the community out to see the lights this season and encourages everyone to drive slow and enjoy the show. The park’s speed limit is ten mile per hour and the lights will be on display through January 3rd, including open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

(Flores’ reminder to drive safely)

As part of this feature about the Heritage Park lights, the WLEN News Team drove through the lights and captured some video from a moving vehicle. Below is the video for those interested in seeing part of the display.