As the volunteer team prepares for year thirteen of Gallipolis in Lights, staged in Gallipolis City Park, the reviews are as glowing as the lights themselves.
“My hometown is magical at Christmas,” said Rachel Cochran Newberry. “It feels like a Hallmark movie and is a must for your holiday to-do list.”
“Gallipolis in Lights display has attracted thousands to our town since its inception,” said Amanda Crouse executive director of the Gallia County CVB. “Our holiday display has created many family traditions for locals and visitors from afar who return year after year.”
Shari Rocchi, a resident of Gallipolis and a teacher at Gallia County Middle School, is used to hearing these compliments as all light strands lead back to her.
“In 2012, my daughter and I did a Christmas light tour in another state,” Rocchi said. “When I drove back into town and saw hardly any decorations, I did a social media post to see if there was interest. I offered my time and a little seed money. Several responded. We brainstormed, looked at funding options and the lights went up in 2013.”
Due to the park’s available electricity, they knew they needed energy-efficient items. One of the members saw handmade, lighted balls in Greensboro, so they crafted those and held community workshops to put them together. “I kept pushing over the years,” Rocchi said. “First year we had 289 light bulbs in trees. Next year went to 400 then 500 and this year we will have about 2,300
light bulbs.” The display became so impressive that in 2022, The Today Show named it “Merriest Main Street” and visited to film a segment. Design, set up, and maintenance are handled by a dedicated volunteer team. “Our volunteer base is about 20 regulars, with others that come in and out, and they are the ones that make all of this possible,” said Rocchi.
At the beginning of October, the team starts placing items. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is always the opening ceremony. This year that date is November 26. The display then runs through January 1 and is open from dusk until dawn.
“Opening night is very festive and exciting,” Rocchi said. “We have lots of entertainment, live reindeer, characters that greet and do photo ops, and of
course Santa makes an appearance. Miss Gallipolis in Lights turns on the display, then we set off fireworks.” And there are more than just lights to take in. Other features include
community trees, Santa’s House, areas that offer photo opportunities, a live nativity, various food trucks and carolers. Santa will have designated times in his house. He’ll also stroll in the park and visit with families.
“The Fleur-de-lis tree is one of my favorites,” said Rocchi. “It’s our signature tree because our city was settled by the French and that logo is on a lot of city items.”
A new feature this year will be carriage rides which are golf carts that hold eight people and a coachman. While there will be a small fee, most everything
else is at no cost.“It’s worth all the work when we see how much everyone enjoys it,” said Rocchi. “Families really have a good time. It’s a romantic walk for couples or
it’s pleasant to just take a walk through by yourself.” All that walking can work up an appetite and The Colony is the perfect place to chow down. Housed in a former movie theater built in 1937, the venue offers a unique array of both food and drink.
“We have a little bit of everything on the menu,” said Rette Roettker, who owns the restaurant with her husband. “A lot of the items came from our personal
favorites. Many are made in-house such as hand-breaded coconut shrimp, our sauces, and all our soups. Our dips and alfredo are from scratch as well.”
Roettker said that makes the alfredo one of their most popular dishes. “Our build your own smash burger is probably our top seller,” she said. “Our
second popular dish is Hawaiian pineapple rice, which is a bed of rice, and you pick your favorite protein to add. Then, it’s topped with homemade
marmalade sauce.”
The Colony is also known for their craft cocktails. “We do not use any mixes in our simple syrups so there are no preservatives. And you can definitely taste
the difference.”
If You Go:
If You Go:
Gallipolis City Park
300 Second Avenue
Gallipolis, OH 45631
For schedules and information:
The Colony
418 2nd Avenue
Gallipolis, OH 45631
740.209.0110