What it takes to Light Up Siloam
■ Electric company crew spends about a week testing bulbs, hanging lights.
The weather outside isn’t quite frightful, but Siloam Springs already is looking delightful.
A five-man crew from the City of Siloam Springs Electric Department began hanging holiday decorations around downtown last week. Using bucket trucks and ladders, it takes the crew about a week to check each bulb and hang up thousands of lights, including the always popular snowflakes on Broadway Street.
A new addition this season is using LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs, according to Glenn Severn, the superintendent of the electric department who has managed the decorating crew for the past few years.
“We look to make things a little better each year,” said Severn, who’s from Gentry and has worked with the city for 26 years. “Replacing all the lights with LEDS will look a little nicer and last a little longer. And that will save some money.”
It’s all in preparation of the annual Light Up Siloam Springs event downtown, which is scheduled for Dec. 2. The day begins with “Breakfast with Santa,” hosted by the Heritage League, at the community building from 8-11 a.m.
From 2-4 p.m. there will be a Wreath Auction at 28 Springs and a Window Display Contest
where patrons can vote for the business with the best storefront display. Both afternoon events are sponsored by Main Street Siloam Springs.
School choirs, featuring Cantrae, Carillon and Panther Singers, will perform Christmas Carols on the steps of the Old Post Office Downtown at 5 p.m. Then, at the same location at 5:20 p.m., there will be a Christmas Dance Performance.
At 5:30 p.m. there will be the Light Up Ceremony and mayor’s address on the post office steps followed by the Light Up Siloam Christmas Parade.
In addition to the new LEDs, this year’s Light Up Ceremony will have an added feature that makes Severn and his crew’s job a bit easier.
“We investigated some wireless technology where we add some wireless relays to automate the lighting this year to see how that works,”
We investigated some wireless technology where we add some wireless relays to automate the lighting this year to see how that works. Severn said. “During the event in the past, they like all of the lights to come on at one time, so we had to have several people spread out all over the place at different locations to turn them on at the same time.
“With the automated system, we can flip one switch and they’ll all come on or off at the same time.”
Severn said the decorating downtown project always begins around the first of November, so the crew has several weeks to address any potential issues before the annual Light Up Siloam Springs ceremony. The lights and decorations will be taken down after the holidays.