By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com

Hundreds of people took part in the Lemon Park Lighting event at the 2024 Christmas in the Park, and even though the big tree didn’t light up at the end of the big count down (right away, anyway) there were plenty of other lights that glowed when the switch was flipped.

Oohs and ahhs filled the air as more than 100 displays lit up in the darkening dusk and Santa laughed “Hohoho” and childrens’ smiles were from ear to ear, despite sticky cotton-candy hands and faces and hot cocoa lips.

Pratt Elks Lodge volunteers placed their own stickers on more than 250 kids who stopped by to decorate cookies that encouraged them to stay drug free. The Greenback Booster club took many orders on their fundraising soft blankets, First Southern Baptist Church handed out worship invites while children and adults petted a live donkey and watched a sheep family at the festivities. And there were many, many photo opportunities, along with Christmas music provided by school groups galore.

Horse-drawn wagons provided a special view of the Christmas lights, along with several truck-pulled hay wagons, and for the kids – the Pratt Lions Club barrel train.

Food trucks kept hunger at bay and there was free popcorn, free hot chocolate, and candy canes for all.

The Lemon Park Lights are open to the public from now until January 1, 2025.

Visit www.tricountrytribune.news to see a Tribune photo gallery from the 2024 Christmas in the Park event.