When Light Up Middletown begins its 2014 season on Thanksgiving Day, it will include a special display designed by a professional electronic engineer who joined the Grandpa Gang in 2013.
Mark Dunaway, now retired and a part of the group of men who set up, repair and care for Light Up Middletown’s displays, decided to use his skills and talent to produce a one-of-a-kind animated display that will stand out from all the other displays because it is synced to music. He began building it in the basement and, like a boat, it outgrew its space and moved to the garage and then in early July, it was ready for a “test drive” in the backyard.
He invited the neighbors in Thorny Acres and the Light Up Middletown committee for a mid-summer night’s preview. According to Flo Randall, chairman of Light Up Middletown, “It is outstanding. I certainly did not expect anything this grand. We know everybody will be pulling to the side of the road to watch this display. While he was showing it to us we were whispering how we’d need to place it near one of the largest parking areas.”
It is now near the lot at the Skate Park where guests can pull in, watch the show and then continue on their way around the park.
The display includes 11 elements, 2,500 LED bulbs and 15 songs in a continuous loop. As Dunaway said, “In the spirit of recycling, I used all the left over LED bulbs to build it.”
Light Up Middletown, a drive-through fantasy animated display runs from Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Eve, 6-10 pm every single night, including holidays. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet the kids in the Santa House 7-9 pm on Fri and Sat evenings until Christmas. Photos with Santa are available. Pet Photo night with Santa will be Tuesday, 12/9 from 7 to 9 pm. The annual hot air balloon glow will be on Thursday, 12/11, beginning at 7 pm, weather permitting.
Admission is by donation. Guests set their own admission fees.
To visit, take I-75 to the Middletown Exit 32, and turn west. Take SR122 to the downtown area. The event is off Verity Parkway, Smith Park, 500 Tytus Avenue in downtown Middletown, 45042. Contact Flo Randall at 513-423-1877, 513-267-2789 or www.lightupmiddletown.org