Rotary Lights in La Crosse, WI celebrated their 30th anniversary of displaying lights through Riverside Park while collecting food donations for local food pantries. Over the 30 years, this joint-Rotary service project has collected over five million food items and lit up Riverside Park with an amazing display of more than three million lights.
Rotary Lights depends significantly on volunteers to create a welcoming environment for our community to enjoy. Over 3,000 volunteers made up of local Rotary Clubs and over 98 non-profit organizations work together annually to transform Riverside Park into an enchanted Winter Wonderland. This well-known holiday tradition runs from Thanksgiving through January 1st and offers a dazzling light exhibition as well as an opening night parade, fireworks, visits from Santa, an Ugly Sweater Run, ice skating, a s'mores station, a live nativity scene, and even an "All Abilities Night," where lights and music are thoughtfully adjusted to accommodate individuals with sensory sensitivities.
Whether strolling through the park by car or on foot, Rotary Lights offers a little bit of holiday magic for everyone and fills a need for food during a critical time for families.