If you’ve ever walked through Dunnville in December, you know the feeling—the snow underfoot, breath in the air, and that glow that makes the whole town feel wrapped in warmth. Those lights aren’t just decorations. They’re memories.
For years, our displays have been patched, rewired, and even rescued from the dump by volunteers who refused to let the magic fade. Storage, delivery, repairs—none of it is glamorous, all of it is necessary.
As Marianne Kidd put it so simply, “I just wanted my kids to have the Dunnville Christmas…the lights are part of it.” That heart—that why—is what’s kept this tradition alive.
This year, our Christmas Coordinator, Tamara Lovegrove, brought forward a simple, brilliant idea to make the magic sustainable: Adopt-a-Light. It’s a five-year commitment that lets businesses, organizations, and families adopt a display—helping fund upkeep, storage, and setup so the lights keep shining long after any one board or volunteer team.
“Each light adopted helps keep Christmas alive in Dunnville — not just through the decorations, but through the memories we create together. For me, it’s about preserving a legacy of joy and giving today’s children the same kind of Christmas magic I remember so fondly from my own childhood.” says Tamara Lovegrove.
Adopt an old favorite like Muddy the Mudcat, choose from our Wish List to help purchase a brand-new display (and even name it), or create something personal through a Legacy Light—a custom piece with a dedication and a feature on our website sharing the story behind it. Every adoption includes a plaque by the display, recognition on our Adopt-a-Light webpage, and a December shout-out.
Because every light has a story. And now, each story can carry a name—yours, your family’s, your business’s, or someone you want to remember.
This December, when families wander through the park, they’ll see more than sparkle. They’ll see generosity. They’ll see love. They’ll see a community determined to pass the glow forward.
Help Keep the Lights On
Be part of the magic. Adopt a light, name a new one, or create a legacy that lasts.
Your support keeps Dunnville’s holiday tradition shining—today and for the next generation.
Thank You ...
