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Highlands Today

Festival Going, But Lights Will Continue

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By SUE ANN CARPENTER

Published: November 21, 2007

Starting Tuesday, Nov. 27, a part of Florida Hospital Heartland Division will once again come aglow with Christmas lights.

But this season is the last year the Ridge Area Arc, the festival's beneficiary, will be a part of the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Over the last eight years the partnership had been a fundraiser for Arc.

Arc Executive Director Linda Wells said their decision was made because of the manpower needed to set up the lights, make repairs and take them down. In addition, money was stolen from the donation boxes a few times. In the end, it was a huge job that cost as much as it made.

Recently, the state cut funds for Arc's residential services, and United Way's contribution was lessened.

"We're tightening our belt and must have a fundraiser that makes money," Wells said, "And at Christmas time, we were competing with all the other requests for donations."

Florida Hospital has bought the lights from Arc and will continue the display but not the festival event.
However, with the planned construction of a new medical office building where 1,000 cars could be parked, there will be changes for this future exhibit.

"We've always enjoyed our partnership with Arc and providing an evening to benefit the community with this Festival," said Cathy Albritton, director of marketing and public relations for Florida Hospital.
Each year engineers from the hospital install electrical boxes, put up poles and extension cords.

Florida Hospital gives hot cocoa, cookies and has Mr. and Mrs. Claus on hand for the kids.

In addition, they line up area musical groups, dance studios to provide entertainment. Arc volunteers, together with Avon Park Youth Academy students, spend about four weeks setting up the 60 different items and then take down the mammoth display.

Last year 2,500 people attended the festival.

This year, golf carts will again shuttle people from parking lots so they can walk through the 60-foot tunnel of lights and enjoy the festivities.

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