More than two dozen employee volunteers from FirstEnergy and Penelec helped to hang energy-efficient LED lights and other decorations around Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pa., for the annual Presque Isle Lights* event. This drive-thru light display relies on community volunteers to decorate the park, which stretches into Lake Erie.

Dubbed the “Tinsel Team” by the event’s coordinator, our employee volunteers have the unique skill set and specialized equipment needed to set up the lights each year. The 2024 Presque Isle Lights event runs from Dec. 6-29.

According to Penelec employee Kyle Brocious, line workers and bucket trucks were not available to assist with this year’s display setup because they were restoring service following an overnight windstorm that caused power outages in the area. That prompted Kyle – who had not initially signed up to volunteer – to lend a hand.

“With our crews tied up with the storm, I found some time on my calendar to fill in and help out the community,” said Kyle, who serves as a Readiness Coordinator for the company.

The event is spearheaded by the Presque Isle Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring Presque Isle remains a cherished and inclusive haven for all. With support from the community, the organization plans to add new displays and grow Presque Isle Lights each year.

“I love the community aspect of this,” said Diane Palmer, Supervisor, Claims. “It gives people the opportunity to come out and enjoy the peninsula in the winter. We always bring our grandkids, and I tell them, ‘Hey, I had a part in putting this together.’”

Illuminating the Isle

Presque Isle Lights started in 2020 as a Covid-friendly activity families could enjoy from the isolated safety of their vehicles and has since become an established holiday tradition.

The display originally started with about 30,000 LED lights, and sponsors and donations ensure there is always something different for visitors to see. Glowing versions of deer, frogs, owls and other wildlife native to the wooded peninsula are annual crowd pleasers, and new for 2024 is a waterskiing Santa and eight other displays. More than 1,000 cars drive the park loop on a busy night.

Admission and programs are free, and donations to the Presque Isle Partnership are gratefully accepted.

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