Update — The lights are coming back to Legion Park. After a strong public response, the City of Owensboro has flipped the switch on its plans and announced the beloved Holiday in the Park at Legion Park will return.
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Following a strong public response to its decision to discontinue the “Holiday in the Park” display at Legion Park, the City of Owensboro is exploring ways to restore the seasonal tradition in some capacity. City Manager Nate Pagan confirmed Friday that officials are working toward a solution, though he cautioned that logistical challenges might prevent a full return of the event.
“We understand the community’s love for Holiday in the Park,” Pagan said. “There are a lot of memories tied to it, which makes this a difficult decision. We’re actively looking at options to bring back something for the community, but it will take collaboration with outside partners.”
He said the City’s original decision was influenced by a combination of staffing limitations, aging light displays, and logistical hurdles that have posed ongoing issues. Pagan noted that managing events across town with a fixed staff capacity has strained resources, especially as officials have increased their focus on expanding holiday offerings downtown through the City’s “Hometown Christmas” event.
The public reaction came swiftly after the City’s announcement late Tuesday. Though the City initially posted on Facebook to explain the shift in focus, the response intensified once media outlets shared the decision on Wednesday. In less than an hour, the Owensboro Times’ post saw hundreds of reactions, comments, and shares, with nearly every comment voicing disappointment.
Pagan emphasized that the power supply has been a particular obstacle in managing Legion Park and downtown events. He said the City has a limited supply of custom-built power boxes, and it would take significant time to fabricate more.
“It’s not something we can just run to a hardware store to replace; public safety is a top concern,” he explained, adding that creating new power sources would take significant time.
According to Pagan, the decision to retire the light display has been under consideration for several years. Staff and department leaders recommended the change due to the aging lights and limited staffing resources. He resisted those recommendations for two years, recognizing the tradition’s place in the community, but ultimately agreed to the change as the best way forward for the City.
The City’s original release said displays from Holiday in the Park would be repurposed at Daviess County’s Christmas at Panther Creek event. It also stated the City’s plans to maintain holiday decorations at Legion Park, including festive displays around shelter houses and a lit tree along J.R. Miller Boulevard.
As City officials work on potential solutions to bring back elements of the tradition, Pagan expressed appreciation for the community’s feedback and hoped to address their concerns.
“We’re committed to maintaining the holiday spirit for everyone,” he said.
