It was established as a preview event, but if initial public reaction is any indicator, it will be here for a long time.
Lights of the Northwoods held their first event over the weekend at Hodag Park in Rhinelander.
Volunteers placed 50,000 Christmas lights in Rhinelander's largest park.
Group vice-president Shawn Will says the public responded....
"....it was humbling. I'm running out of words to describe the number of people that came out and supported us at Lights of the Northwoods..."
Will details the turnout...
. "....we put through over 3,000 vehicles. We know that as a count of the number of people that went through the gate. We had a couple of buses and we had a couple of people come through single so if we average four people per car, we put about 12,800 people through the park in a four day event. That didn't include pedestrians that walked the path. For food donations, an unbelievable amount. Two tons of food. 4, 178 pound of food donated...."
Will says the city gave permission to the group to keep a portion of the lights up for the time being. Will says if you didn't get a chance to see the lights, you can still drive through Hodag Park.
One observer Saturday evening saw cars backed up to nearly the downtown area along Thayer St. to get into the park.
Will says this event was designed to prove that an event could be held next year and it did that. Will says they're already planning the 2018 Lights of the Northwoods event.
