The Roanoker - November/December 2019 - 16

Get in the Spirit at Illuminights
Explore Park's newest event is just the thing to make it
feel like the holiday season.

C

ENTER IN THE SQUARE, a non-profit
organization, in partnership with Roanoke
County Parks, Recreation and Tourism, are
hosting the Illuminights light show event at Explore Park.
Beginning on Black Friday, Illuminights will run
through to the beginning of January 2020. The event
features a newly created trail through Explore Park
where strung lights range in theme from nature, fantasy,
enchanted forest, adventure and Christmas traditions.
Families can enjoy steaming cups of hot chocolate,
marshmallow roasting, food trucks, visits with Santa
Clause, and carriage rides, for an additional cost, as they
make holiday memories. Twin Creeks Brewery, located
in Explore Park, will also be available for refreshment
during the event.
Center in the Square is also partnering with public
schools to involve local school children in Illuminights
by displaying ornaments made by them at school.
"I would have liked that as a kid, to know that my
project could actually be on display at a holiday light
show or in a museum," says Tara Marciniak, Director of
Institutional Advancement at Center in the Square. "It
kind of makes you take your project a little more seriously
if you know people are going to be staring at it."
"Illuminights gives families an opportunity to make
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

memories together during the holiday season. I love
that. I think making memories is very important,"
Marciniak says.
In addition to memory-making opportunities for
the families attending the light show, Marciniak says
Illuminights will provide revenue for both Center in
the Square and Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and
Tourism.
"This event will benefit Roanoke County Parks,
Recreation and Tourism Department in an extremely
positive way," says Wendi Schultz, tourism and event
coordinator for Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and
Tourism.
"It will serve to help us further implement our
Explore Park Adventure Plan and allow us to continue
to focus on expanding recreational opportunities at
Explore Park, educational programming and expanding
amenities at the park for the benefit of both local
residents and travelers."
According to the Roanoke County Parks, Recreation
and Tourism website, the Explore Park Adventure
Plan will increase recreation opportunities available at
Explore Park:
"We envision Explore Park as the starting place
for individuals and families seeking adventure and
enrichment in the outdoors. Our focus will be
expanding recreation opportunities such as hiking/
biking trails, river access, overnight camping and
educational programs based on the park's unique
environmental and cultural history-all while preserving
the park's natural beauty."
-JENNIFER RIALES
TheRoanoker.com
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker - November/December 2019

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