‘Lights of Love’ trees placed in Washington Square

WASHINGTON — Main Street volunteers and city parks department employees spent Thursday morning setting up 105 “Lights of Love” trees in Washington’s central park, continuing a yearly fundraiser and memorial that seems to grow every year.

Main Street Washington Director Samantha Meyer said she was grateful for the support from parks staff.

“City parks volunteered to help us if we were able to do it during the week,” she said. “Which is amazing, because we need that muscle. And we’ve got some board members, and promotion committee members.”

Each tree represents a memorial for a different community member, complete with an identifying wooden sign, lights, and eventually decorations added by their friends and family members.

Meyer said it was exciting to see the park getting into the holiday spirit with the Washington SNOW day and lighting ceremony just around the corner on Nov. 28.

“We got snowflake lights up yesterday, and wreathes and stuff, and we have a new ”SNOW“ installment on the other side of the square,” she said, adding that the massive Polystyrene letters made for “a nice spot to take some pictures for the season and add to the holiday festivities.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com