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Holiday at
Burgess
Drive-thru Light Display in Titusville
One of the many annual community projects of the Take Pride in
Titusville Committee has become a holiday tradition for many area
families. The "Holiday at Burgess" Drive-Thru Light Display began in
2004, financed through fundraising efforts of the 25 service and
non-profit clubs and organizations represented on the Take Pride in
Titusville Committee. Over $25,000 was invested that first year in
electrical wiring and light displays and the program kicked off with a
fireworks display at Burgess Park on November 26th, 2004. Committee
members and their organization volunteers staffed the display each
night from the grand opening the day after Thanksgiving through New
Year's Eve. Santa was available every weekend for children to visit
and over 2500 cars visited the display the first year.
Thanks to overwhelming community support, the program is now entering
it fourth year and has over $60,000 invested in electrical
infrastructure and light displays. Music was added to the park and
several commercial and custom made displays have been added each year.
A scaled oil spouting replica of Drake Well was added for 2006. Over
200 volunteers assist with the set-up, maintenance, tear down and
greeting of over 10,000 visitors, with over 300 children enjoying a
personal visit with Santa on most Thursday thru Saturday nights.
Staffed each evening by volunteers, candy canes are distributed and
donations are accepted at the "McGregor House", a warming hut that
was placed at the end of the drive thru which was named after the
project mastermind, Tim McGregor. In all kinds of weather, each
carload of visitors, many from outside of the area and even from out
of state, are greeted by "Santa's Helpers" and holiday wishes are
extended to all. Season's Greetings, Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year from Titusville and the Take Pride volunteers.
PICTURES
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