Quincy Competition of Lights returns for what could possibly be its final 12 months

QUINCY (WGEM) – The Competition of Lights in Quincy opened Thursday night time, however this could possibly be your final probability to go.

The annual occasion may not have sufficient monetary assist to maintain Moorman Park shining vivid for the vacations subsequent 12 months.

For a lot of households, going to the competition of lights in Quincy is an annual vacation custom.

Julie Herpin from Boonville, Missouri, and her family stay up for driving below the twinkling lights and listening to the cheerful music.

“I got here up right here to have Thanksgiving with my household in Quincy and this has been a convention earlier than we return to grandma’s home for the night to come back cease and see the lights,” Herpin stated.

President Eric Dooley stated the nonprofit, drive-through mild show is liable to coming to an finish.

“Proper now for the show to be viable long-term, it has to have extra assist,” Dooley stated. “It has to have the assist of the neighborhood to be right here and function a neighborhood show.”

Dooley and his household have volunteered to arrange the occasion for the previous 4 years, paying for shows out of pocket. Final 12 months, they solely made round $180,000 which doesn’t cowl the whole value of their shows round $225,000.

He stated whereas they nonetheless aren’t the place they have to be financially, it’s wanting brighter with extra sponsorships this 12 months.

“We’re reaching 25% of the place we have to be to satisfy our bills, however they’ve grown,” Dooley stated. “We have been in a a lot worse place final 12 months, so we’ve doubled the quantity of sponsorship that we had final 12 months. So, trajectory means loads. We’re on course. If we proceed to do this then we can proceed to come back again.”

Herpin hopes they’ll get extra assist so the Metropolis of Quincy doesn’t must wave goodbye to the competition of lights.

“It might be a loss for the neighborhood as a result of I feel so many children, , we develop up with going and seeing the lights as a household and having that wherever you’re,” Herpin stated.

If you wish to donate to the Competition of Lights, or change into a volunteer, click here.

The Competition of Lights is open each night time from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. by means of New Years Eve.

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