by Sylvia Benavidez
Presented by the Calhoun County Fairgrounds in Marshall the Merry Mile light display continues to grow in its 8th season with more people volunteering to help set up lights, participating in the Egg Nog Jog, and driving from all over Michigan and other states to experience the lights. The display is open from 6-9 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays Dec. 5-29.
Cathy Combs, Calhoun County Fairgrounds manager said in an interview on Dec. 19 that so far things have gone smoothly. The Merry Mile Committee worked diligently to get ready for the volunteers and to create an environment for artistic expression. She commented how the creativity in placing the lights for this year’s run was exceptionally creative and that they added a new type of lighting.
“The committee was more organized this year. We’ve organized and decided where displays are going to be placed. We have a map. We started probably in September doing this and I think it’s just paid off…,” said Combs. Although prices and time have remained the same, some records for the event have been broken and the new lighting keeps everything fresh.
“It is exciting to be able to keep the cost down for families. It’s affordable. People want it and (it) is bright and cheery. It’s a great atmosphere and I believe it’s the eighth year.”
Combs shared what people might want to look out for when driving through the park. For example, she thought where the flying pig was hung this year was creative. Some of the changes made this season add artistic depth to the Merry Mile experience. The trail lights around the fair office are new, the church onsite and other buildings have been outlined with lights, and a new form of lighting has been introduced to the grounds.
“We did some up lighting, so you see the trees that are lit green and then red, so we did a lot of that this year and that’s new,” said Combs.
Roger South, their technical person, created all the up lighting throughout the Merry Mile. Another change volunteers and the committee worked on was the placement of the 12 Days of Christmas lights and having more three-dimensional tableaus with the light sculptures. For example, the six geese a laying has a coop set up with the number.
“The committee this year decided to separate the 12 days of Christmas light displays. We usually have it in a row one through 12, but this year we spread it out throughout the entire park,” said Combs. “Sherry Langwell works for the Fair Office and volunteered many hours to make the gnome sitting on the corn structure for the Merry Mile.”
Other new features include more lighting designs on the fence that lead to the exit of the event. “This is the first year I can think of that we’ve added more lights to the fence for people as they head toward the exit of the Merry Mile.”
The Law Office of Cindy Thomas put together a beautifully designed light display of a dancing ballerina with completely new look and an old favorite the lit turning Ferris wheel is fully operational again after the wires were unexpectedly ripped out last year.
Another favorite feature of the Merry Mile are the scheduled events. The Egg Nog occurring Dec. 4 saw the number participating by a hundred. Individuals can run or walk the expanse of the Merry Mile. “It went very well. (We) had over 300 participants. Catie Boring and her sister Kristie Love put that on. It’s a timed run or walk. We had more people this year. There were around 200 last year. It’s done on a Wednesday night so there’s no cars involved,” said Combs.
People come from all over. She said, “I took a call from someone who drove two hours and a half to participate in the run.” Runners get egg nog, t-shirts, and little cups. Santa was there too visiting with the little kids. A lot of kids come and not just people running.”
The Live Nativity, in its 5th year, involves participation from several churches. Doug Kiessling, president of Southern Michigan Bank and Trust, organized the outdoor manned tableau and volunteers from his bank decorated the floral hall except for the train display.
Jessica Bain brought Gem the llama to enhance the look and feel of the Live Nativity. “I like doing things with the llamas, especially around Christmas time. The public likes to pet them and see them. It’s very unique. I really enjoy interacting with the people and I like that people can experience seeing llamas,” she said.
Combs works the front gates at times and gets to see how far people drive to see the display and even come back for more visits in one night. She also shared people bring their pets such as cats and dogs to enjoy the colorful lights and has had people drive from as far away as Indiana. “This is one of the biggest years we’ve had volunteers doing things,” she said. More groups and businesses came out to put displays together and hang lights. She emphasized how all of this would not be possible without the volunteers and sponsors, who in addition from Marshall come from other surrounding areas.
“We rely on volunteers to help us as a non-profit. Without the big groups and businesses making it an employee day to be able to help us. It saves us a lot of time and money, so we really, really appreciate it.”
For more information on the Merry Mile, visit their Facebook page or website: Merry Mile – Calhoun County FairgroundsPhotos by Sylvia Benavidezcut 3409 Calhoun County Fair Manager Cathy Combs and volunteer with Gem, the llama, and Live Nativity participant Jessica Bain at the Merry Mile, Marshall. Cut 2428 In its 5th year at the Merry Mile in Marshall, The Live Nativity had to cancel one of its two night appearances last weekend due to severe cold weather.Cut 0819 Humor is featured in many of the light sculptures found at the Merry Mile located in the Calhoun County Fairgrounds until Dec. 29.Cut 0816 Three dimensional displays are found throughout the Merry Mile, presented by the Calhoun County Fairgrounds.
