Danville Parks and Recreation’s 11th annual Community Holiday Light Show is underway in historic Ballou Park. The show will run 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly to Dec. 23.
The cost is $10 per car and $20 for vans and mini buses. Credit and debit cards will be accepted along with cash. The price of admission covers both the drive-through light show as well as activities inside Ballou Recreation Center including a photo with Santa, refreshments, and children’s activities. In addition, 2024 Commemorative Ornaments will be on sale for $10 each along with a limited number of past ornament designs.
Event organizers are excited to have watched the show grow for over a decade.
“We are excited to continue this wonderful community event,” said Taylor Roberts, special events coordinator with Danville Parks and Recreation. “We hope everyone will join us in making this holiday season brighter than ever before as we celebrate our eleventh year.”
Since its inception in 2013, the light show has been dependent on support from the community. Each year, civic organizations, families, and individuals are invited to build light displays throughout the park. Likewise, volunteer groups work the gates and inside the recreation center.
“This event is unique in that it is so heavily supported by the community,” said Parks and Recreation Department Director Bill Sgrinia. “We are very fortunate to live in a city full of people who are willing to donate their time and creativity to ensure this event is successful each year.”
Sgrinia added that the event was designed to not only provide an opportunity for the community to create holiday memories, but to give back to those who work so tirelessly to put on the show.
Each display is built in honor of a charitable or nonprofit organization. Visitors to the park are asked to vote on their favorite displays. A portion of the proceeds are then donated to the associated organization. In addition, the volunteer groups who direct traffic are reimbursed for their efforts with a portion of the night’s proceeds.
This year’s volunteer schedule is as follows:
- Dec. 12 – Sylvia’s Warriors
- Dec. 13 – New Testament Baptist Church
- Dec. 14 – Scouts BSA; Blue Ridge Mountains Council
- Dec. 15 – Park Avenue Elementary School
- Dec. 16 – Hands of Glory
- Dec. 17 – Sacred Heart Catholic School
- Dec. 18 – Kiwanis Club of Danville
- Dec. 19 – Southside Area Tennis Association
- Dec. 20 – Dry Fork Christian School
- Dec. 21 – North Main Baptist Church
- Dec. 22 – Danville Riverview Rotary
- Dec. 23 – Westover Christian Academy Cheerleaders
For more information regarding nightly activities, follow along on Danville Parks and Recreation’s social media pages.