Hundreds filled downtown Eufaula streets Friday to join the festivities of the third annual Lights On celebration that kicks off the 2023 holiday season.
Channel 6 news anchor Lori Fulbright officially started the celebration by pressing the button that turned on the Christmas lights at 5:45 p.m., Nov. 17.
“I’m so excited to be here,” said Fulbright who owns a home on Lake Eufaula. “What makes this event special is the people – there are no better people in the world than in the town of Eufaula.”
She praised Vision Eufaula for putting on the event that included a Whoville party for youngsters at Legacy on Main Street; a trolley ride around town; a host of businesses that joined the fun by decorating their stores with Christmas movie themes and offering treats and special sales items.
Award winning singer Ava Rose Johnson, a student at Eufaula High School entertained with a number of Christmas songs.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand to take Christmas wishes; elves were everywhere.
Lights On Eufaula is the brainchild of Jon and Wilkins, owners of Lake Dog, a pet-oriented business on Main Street.
They started the celebration three years ago. Two years ago Vision Eufaula, headed by Karen Weldin and a group of community-spirited individuals, became the official host of Lights On.
“It gets bigger every year,” Weldin said. “It is great for the kids.”
She attributes the steady growth to a lot of Vision Eufaula members working hard year round to promote the community.
“This year more businesses are participating. There is a lot of enthusiasm. And it’s a lot of fun.”
She’s looking forward to next year’s Lights On.
Jon Wilkins also is impressed with the community participation.
“The holiday spirit in downtown is getting better and better. The turnout is more and more. This year most merchants participated in one form or another,” he said.
He has noticed a residual effect of the community spirit created by events such as Lights On.
“There’s a lot of buildings that are getting refreshed downtown. They are looking nicer, which is an indication of some recovery here. People are showing some pride in Eufaula,” he said.
Jon said one of the goals of the event is to get people to shop downtown.
By shopping locally you not only help businesses, but the employees who work for the businesses. “Local businesses support local employees,” he said. “We’re trying to get people to get accustomed to coming downtown to shop. Hopefully people will see the variety of stores and come here first to shop. Shop here first – shop local. We’re all about downtown. All these sales dollars go into making the community better.”
Shari Wilkin sees more participation by businesses.
“It takes a community to make it more successful,” she said.
When she and Jon came up with the idea three years ago she was asked why do it so long before Christmas.
“Because it is a kickoff for the holiday season,” she said.
Lori Fulbright said she is doing her part to shop in Eufaula.
“I spent quite a bit of money today,” she said.
