December 9, 2022

Joyful expressions were abundant during three recent community lighting ceremonies – held at Reflections Park in Pemberton, N.J., Pioneer Plaza Park in Elyria, Ohio, and Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park in Summersville, W.Va. – as part of our second-annual “Light Up Holiday Smiles with FirstEnergy” program.

Collectively, nearly 1,500 residents attended and enjoyed the events, where each park and nearby buildings were lit with holiday magic during a special lighting ceremony gifted to the cities by FirstEnergy.

To qualify for the program, cities were required to be served by a FirstEnergy operating company, be located in a county designated as facing economic difficulties and prioritize local efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

Each event included free seasonal refreshments and its own special mix of family-friendly activities such as appearances by Santa, holiday performances by local choirs and bands, horse and wagon rides, firetrucks, face painting, remarks from local officials and FirstEnergy leaders – and a lively countdown by the crowd to ring and commemorate the highly[1]anticipated lighting of the displays.

For Megan Rowe, a lifelong Elyria resident, the event held special significance. Along with fellow artist David Pavlak, she hand-painted the historical murals on the Elyria Art Council building adjacent to Pioneer Plaza Park – and watched her artwork beautifully illuminate during the Ohio community’s lighting ceremony.

“To see our artwork in this beautiful city lit up with holiday lights and watch younger generations gather here to enjoy seasonal festivities brings me such joy. It’s so breathtaking,” said Megan.

“We hope the spectacular lighting display brightens spirits and warms hearts in the Elyria community this holiday season and many years to come,” said Pat Mullin, acting president, Ohio Operations, who attended the event.

New Jersey Operations President Jim Fakult made an appearance and remarks at the Pemberton, N.J., ceremony while External Affairs Consultant John Norman welcomed guests at the Summersville, W.Va., event.

This year’s program is a successful continuation and expansion of last year’s inaugural “Light Up Holiday Smiles with FirstEnergy” event, which gifted an Ohio community with a holiday lights display. Similar to the 2021 event, all three communities selected for this year’s lighting ceremonies will get to keep their holiday displays to brighten their communities for years to come.

Residents of Summersville, W.Va., pause to enjoy the beauty of the holiday display illuminated at the Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park event.

Local artists Megan Rowe and David Pavlak stand by their illuminated hand painted murals in downtown Elyria, Ohio, during FirstEnergy’s “Light Up Holiday Smiles” event.

Jim Fakult gets ready to flip the switch to illuminate Pemberton’s holiday display at Reflections Park.

A joyous holiday choir and band performance by New Jersey high school students entertained guests at the Pemberton ceremony.