The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Holiday decorations are popping up
The holidays are approaching, the weather is getting chillier and Lorain County is getting a bit more jollier.
It’s the time of year where the holidays are approaching, the weather is getting chillier and Lorain County is get a bit more jollier.
Organizations like the Lorain County Metro Parks and Elyria’s Parks and Recreation Department are beginning to set up decorations for this year’s holiday festivities.
Bryan Goldthorpe, the park manager of Lakeview Park, 1800 W. Erie Ave., said he and his crew members have began setting up Christmas decorations for the park’s annual Lights on the Lake display since the second week of November.
Goldthorpe, who has worked for the park since 2006, said since his arrival the crowds have grown immensely every year.
He gives much credit to his crew for setting up the decorations and getting the park ready for the holiday season.
Goldthorpe said his favorite part about Lights on the Lake is seeing the reactions of the children’s faces as they drive through the park and visit with their families.
“I enjoy watching the kids enjoy the lights, all the Christmas decorations and their time with Santa in park’s (terrace)” he said. “It’s exciting to see the kids’ faces. It makes it all worth it and has made it become a great experience.”
Not only is the Metro Parks getting in the holiday spirit, but Elyria Parks and Recreation crews are beginning to set up decorations for Elyria’s annual Holiday at Finwood celebration at Finwood Estates, 799 N. Abbe Road.
Jay Horwedel, maintenance manager of Elyria’s Parks and Recreation, said he only works on the outside decorations around the estate with his staff while others work on the inside of the Finwood house.
Preparation for the holiday season usually starts in September and goes until the event’s opening day around Thanksgiving, Horwedel said.
Horwedel has been with the parks and recreation department for 30 years and said that not only has the attendance for the holiday event grown over the years, but so has their equipment and publicity.
“(Parks and Rec) has received many gifts and donations for this event which gave us the opportunity to buy LED lights rather than using our regular lights,” he said. “The publicity has grown and people from out of state come just to see our display.”
Holiday at Finwood is one of parks and recreation’s biggest events of the year, Horwedel said.
Between 70,000 and 100,000 people visit every year, he said.
Although much of the crowd come for the outdoor display, parks and recreation provides indoor holiday fun and hospitality as well in the Finwood house.
Annette Sorlet, Elyria Parks and Recreation supervisor, helps with the decorations inside the Finwood Estate.
Sorlet said she loves to help create and set up the holiday themes throughout the house.
“This is always a fun time for me during the year, especially with the people I work with,” she said. “Jay, the rest of our staff and volunteers who donate their time, do an outstanding job with decorations. They’re great people to work with and make this a fun event for the people who come visit.”
During the holiday event, parks and recreation will collect canned goods inside the Finwood house to donate to the Elyria Hospitality Center, 244 Third St., before Christmas.
Lights and decorations at Lights on the Lake will be lit beginning Nov. 25 at dark through the end of December, according to Goldthorpe.
The Finwood Estate lights and decorations will be lit from 5 p.m. to midnight starting on Thanksgiving continue until Jan. 1. The House will open to the public from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23.
Children can visit Santa at both venues.
Youngsters can have breakfast with St. Nick at Lakeview Park on Dec. 16.