Holiday Fun Small Town Style

The day after Christmas, hubby Bob and I went small town and enjoyed, "Shining Light Through The Darkness" at Kish Park in Burnham, PA. This is a truly home grown event in my hometown.  It began as a project by a student and has grown every year to become a welcome holiday event in our area.

Kish Park is a local park complete with picnic tables, a campground, duck pond, a stream, a community theater and a walking path.  From early December to early January, this park becomes a lighted holiday wonderland.The event is hosted by Freedom Avenue United Methodist Church. Different businesses and non-profit organizations sponsor and set up lighted holiday displays throughout the park. Visitors use the walking trail to enjoy all the displays. If you are not able to walk, a golf cart ride is offered.  If you go on certain nights, you can get a horse drawn carriage ride around the park.

Santa welcomes you to the park!

Just a few years ago, this was the extent of this event.  This year, there was some sort of activity or entertainment planned for every evening except Christmas eve, Christmas night, New Year's eve and New Year's night. There have been a dog walk and dog picture day, kid's make it/take it crafts, children's story time, a Christmas service, Karaoke and lighting of luminaries along the walking path.

New LED display on the duck pond

Many different local entertainers have performed including Saints and Singers barbershop quartet, Tim and Duane show, Cassie Campbell with Carla Traxler, Unusual Suspects, Free for All, Chris Ruble, Country Gospel Revival, Brush Mountain Band, Grace Fala with Rhonda Sweigart, Miranda Shoop, Drew Zimmerman, Blue Grass Country Express, Dylan Crosson and Mike Bair.  The night we were there, we listened to Drew Zimmerman while sipping our hot chocolate.  He was good!

Penguins getting warm by the fire

This was a totally free event.  Volunteers do welcome any donations you can make when you are at the park. The donations are used for expansion and maintenance of this delightful little piece of hometown fun. They also welcome any volunteer help. Check out the Kish Park Shining Light website for more information.