BELPRE - The whole of Belpre is expected to be aglow Dec. 23 as businesses, residents and groups participate in the second "light up the town" event.
"It is very exciting for us again this year," said Leslie Pittenger, organizer of Belpre in Bloom.
This is the second year for the event, which was originally done last year as the first fundraiser and beautification project for the Belpre in Bloom project.
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Luminaria are planned to line the sidewalks and trails Dec. 23 through out Belpre for the second year.
For the "light up the town" event, Belpre in Bloom is selling luminaria kits at the Belpre City Building and Bob's Market until Dec. 21 at 10 sets of bags with long-burning candles and sand for $20.
"After buying the kits, we ask that people light them at 6 p.m. on Dec. 23, which is a Sunday, just like we did last year," Pittenger said.
Last year's fundraiser sold out of the 100 luminaria kits with hopes of doing the same or better this year.
"We would really like to see this event and the entire Belpre in Bloom project grow next year," Pittenger added.
While individuals and area businesses are expected to participate, so are the Belpre City Schools.
"I have been told that both the elementary and high schools will be buying some kits and making others to support the project," Pittenger said.
Last year, Belpre Elementary School purchased 15 luminaria kits and made others to line around the drive in front of the administration building and the long drive from Rockland Avenue to the school, around the horseshoe and back to the street.
Pittenger added that Belpre in Bloom asked everyone who purchased luminaria kits to place them along streets, driveways and walkways in an effort to light up the entire city.
"The city purchased a number of them to put throughout parks and in other city properties and I expect to see the luminarias throughout Belpre," she said. "It was beautiful last year and I can't wait to see more out this year."
Belpre in Bloom is a volunteer organization that is part of the larger America in Bloom, a charitable organization to promote nationwide beautification through education and community involvement. Both local and state groups meet these goals by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements.
The five larger projects the volunteer organization focused on last year included welcome areas at the five entrances to the city, fencing renovation along Ohio 7/U.S. 50, sidewalk and streetscape cleanup, planters and flower plantings in city parks and a community garden to allow residents to grow vegetables.
