The lights are on at the Chapman Park Christmas Display, and will remain so through the month of December. In a Friday night debut that saw 34-degree temperatures and Mariah Carey’s “A Very Merry Christmas” share radio airwaves with “Silent Night,” the crowds came early and stayed to look around a bit, initially congregating near the mid-point of the campground area, near an old brick building.

Although not a school-sanctioned event due to the current (severe) COVID-19 risk in Chippewa County, the event was nonetheless well attended, with a sign at the entrance welcoming visitors to the “Winter Wonderland,” minus the snow that is. Among the contributing organizations to Friday’s event were the National Honor Society, Art Club, FCCLA, FBLA, Skills USA, FFA, and Student Council students. Along with input by the young people of the community were local businesses and community members who donated money, lights, extension cords, and more to make the Friday night opening a reality. Handed out by members of the student body were candy canes.

Among the events that took place that took place at was a prayer given by Our Savior’s Lutheran pastor Ken Schmidt.

“We pray for everyone here,” Schmidt prayed during the Memory Tree ceremony. “Be with us tonight, be with us always.” Saying that the year had been hard for the community, Schmidt made special mention of local student Sophi Sanchez, along with the families of Wyatt Milas and Judy Gulcynski.

“We pray for Sophi Sanchez, her family and her friends. Please God, please carry them through this. Shine your light for Sophi and her family to see. We pray for the family of student Wyatt Milas, whose life ended too soon. We also pray for the loved ones of Judy Gulcynski, who worked at the school for years…we pray God for them, and we pray for all that are hurting, grieving, and having a hard time.” Next remembering those whose earthly journey came to an end early, Schmidt gave thanks for their lives, and then spoke of the lights and their representation of memory. “May the lights that glow tonight, remind us of your Light that never stops shining, and that with you, we live forever,” Schmidt prayed, alluding to the Resurrection of Christ. As light shone in the distance from across the lake along with lights at the park, people milled about looking at the lights, and later were given a chance to drive through.

The lights are scheduled to stay on at Chapman Park through New Years to January 1st.

Photo by Joseph Back.