Lighting up the night

It is that time of year again. Christmas shopping has begun, popcorn and cranberries are being strung on the trees, and in downtown Bloomington, the annual holiday lights have been hung for all to see. Starting from the Courthouse, stretching down Kirkwood Avenue and outside local businesses, each year Bloomington nights are lit up to celebrate the season.\nThis is the 20th year that Bloomington has hung lights downtown. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving with an annual lighting celebration, the white lights shine brightly throughout the rest of December. This year the lights will stay up until Jan. 3. \nTalisha Coppick of Downtown Bloomington, Inc. is in charge when it comes to the lights downtown, but she asserts that she by no means exerts all the effort. \nWhile Coppick might seem modest, the "Lights on the Square" is definitely a collaborative event. Coppick said there are about 15 groups involved in the lighting downtown each year. That is without mentioning the 50 businesses that contribute to the costs of purchasing lights and the electrical work in order to simply to keep the lights bright all \nseason. \nTwenty years ago, during the first "Lights on the Square," the lights only covered the canopy. Over time, the lights have stretched far past the courthouse area to include much more of downtown. Coppick pointed out that over time, the event has added the trees along the streets, buildings and the east side of Kirkwood. There are also buildings and local businesses that provide their own lighting. For example, the Showers Building and the John Waldron Arts Center contribute to the event by decorating their own buildings with lights and bows. \n"It continues to be very popular," Coppick said.\nCoppick also explained the breakdown of how the groups split up the work involved in such a huge task. The lights and decorations are delegated among the various groups. IU is in charge of the bows that can be seen along the street. These are the same wreaths and bows found on campus. The wreaths are even a part of community, being provided by local greenhouses. Similarly, the city takes care of all the snowflakes.\n"It is a continuous effort by the community," Coppick said. "Each year it has grown too, including the reaction of street-goers."\nA variety of events are centered around the "Lights on the Square" during the holiday season. This year's lighting event started with a performance by the Bloomington Brass Band. Master of Ceremonies Keith Klein hosted the lighting with greetings from Dave Kubiak, president of Downtown Bloomington, Inc., and Bloomington Hospital Home Healthcare and Hospice Program Representative Peggy Welch, who is also a state representative for Bloomington. All helped to light the "Light Up a Life" Tree, and Santa and Polka Dot the Clown made an appearance to help light the canopy.\nBloomington resident and IU employee Paula Koons is a regular at the lighting event.\n"It's part of the Christmas celebration for the community," she said.\nKoons was disappointed to share that she was not able to attend this year's annual lighting ceremony, but fun events are still available to attend. Every weekend until Dec. 23 children can take pictures with Santa with $2 of every photo taken with the jolly old man is donated to the Boys and Girls Club. \nWhether you decide to drive by or take a stroll downtown at night, the lights are free for all to experience.\n"It doesn't make any difference what religion you are or what race, culture or nationality. You can enjoy them," Koons said.