Lights of the Delta off to a good start

On Monday, Lights of The Delta opened its gates for what executive director George Hubbard says was the biggest opening night in around five years. Blytheville’s annual holiday light attraction is well known both locally and nationally and Hubbard stated that he believes that the kick-off night was visited by around 500 people.

Unlike typical nights where entry into LOTD is $10 for a vehicle, except on Tuesday when it is $5, there is no entry fee on opening night. Instead, the LOTD team asks for donations of canned food for the Blytheville/Gosnell Food Pantry and toys for the Ignite Club. Those who came through on the first night were also treated to free hamburgers and hot dogs courtesy of Jackie Plunkett and the Pork Chop Mafia.

“It was a pretty good crowd for a first night. Of course Ms. Arkansas and Ms. Arkansas Outstanding Teen were there and the hamburgers and hot dogs were good. We’ve got to thank Jackie Plunkett for doing that…everything seemed to go well,” Hubbard said.

LOTD took in “a lot” of toys and food for the two groups, the Food Pantry and Ignite Club; Hubbard stated that they also received $500 in cash donations, which will go to Ignite.

“The crowd was bigger than last year. I went back about five years and I think it was the biggest crowd we’ve had in five years on opening night. I had some folks come in from out of town, which is a little bit unusual because it is normally more locals that come out for the first night,” Hubbard said.

For those interested, LOTD will be hosting its annual Twinkle Walk, which costs $15 per person, on Nov. 26. The walk lasts from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. and cost includes a t-shirt. Tickets can be purchased online or in person on location.