October 16, 2024 3:05 a.m.
The Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights is preparing for its 32nd season.
A festival release said organized by the Roseburg Rotary Club it will launch on November 24th, showcasing 500,000 lights and 90 displays at River Forks Park, west of Roseburg.
Visitors will be excited for the return of the Dutch Bros Holiday Village to River Forks Park, a new display featuring the Umpqua Lighthouse and additional lighting features designed to make the festival brighter and more beautiful than ever.
Organizers are excited to announce a long list of upgrades and improvements for 2024. Committee Chair Tabitha Layman said, “The Festival Committee didn’t take a break at the end of the 2023 season”. Layman said, “We immediately jumped in on some major projects to enhance the experience for our over 7,000 visitors”.
Through partnerships with local businesses those include:
*Con-Vey: Designed and built a new 20-foot replica of the Umpqua Lighthouse
*Fred Sabins, Douglas County Parks and the Roseburg Rotary Club: Leading the restoration of Helleck Hall, which will host the Holiday Village, allowing visitors to see the famous dancing light display, model railroad, and Santa Claus for the first time since 2019.
*Lone Rock Resources, Great Northern Trailers, Big O Tires, and Roseburg Towing: Contributed to the acquisition of a new flatbed truck for the festival’s field crew.
*Pacific Power and Sims Electric: Updated the electrical infrastructure for enhanced safety and energy efficiency.
*Wolf Creek Job Corps: Provided students for worked-based learning opportunities, enhancing the event’s construction and lighting.
*Restoration work on Woody Wintergaard, the world’s largest nutcracker, addressed dry rot and cracking, with added paint and sealant to preserve the wood.
In addition, new special nights will be introduced. Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center will host a dog walking event on Tuesday, November 26th. Thrive Umpqua will invite people to ride through the lights on Wednesday, November 27th.
Tickets for the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights will go on sale November 1st at: www.uvfestivaloflights.com
Proceeds from the Festival of Lights support Rotary scholarships and other Rotary-supported programs.