Cambridge, OHIO (Special for AVC News) – Written by Beverly Kerr
When Dickens Victorian Village began 21 years ago, Grant Hafley, with help from Joel Losego and Dave Kessel, a co-worker from Arizona, began designing a light show for the courthouse to give an extra reason to make a stop in Cambridge during the holiday season. It took them about a year to create an amazing display for the following season.
Grant gave the light show as a gift to the city that he called home at that time. He thought it would make an extra addition to attract visitors. And was he ever right! This year, there will be a special announcement during the show honoring Grant and Pat Hafley. Part of the announcement will say, “This beloved holiday tradition began as the vision of Grant Hafley, former owner of AVC Communications. As a gift to the community that supported his business for more than 30 years, Grant and Pat Hafley personally funded the original light show to complement Dickens Victorian Village and create an unforgettable evening experience.”
Busloads of visitors headed to the courthouse in the evening to watch the colorful light display, which was synchronized to both traditional and contemporary holiday music. People parked along the street to sit or stand in the courthouse lawn to watch thousands of lights do their magic. Children danced to the music. Everyone had a great time.
But the story begins long before 2006 as Grant Hafley and Joel Losego worked together at AVC Communications when Joel was still in middle school at Buckeye Trail. Joel continued working with AVC until he graduated from Ohio University. Through helping Grant, an electrical engineer, Joel learned how to design flashing lights from control boards for area dances.
After graduation, Joel worked in various states at local TV stations and on national networks learning more about broadcasting and the internet. One day he received a call from Grant telling him he was looking for someone to buy AVC Communications so he could retire. He wanted someone who would carry on the community spirit. Joel Losego has done just that after purchasing AVC.
Twenty years later, the show goes on with new additions every year thanks to Joel Losego’s creativity. This year some new music has been added including songs from Pentatonix, Kelly Clarkson, and one song by the Cambridge Primary School’s 2nd grade choir. The 2nd grade was recorded last December singing “Pictures with Santa.” This is the 3rd Cambridge City Schools’ class to be featured in the light show over the 20 years. The first was a 5th grade class recording of “Up on the Housetop” in 2007. The song is still in the show this year. Angie Ferrell is the music teacher who has been helping getting the students involved over the years.
There are also some new lights this year. They are adding a “Pixel Spinner Wreath” and four “Pixel Arch Fans.” This is new technology not seen around this area in other shows before this year. They are high density designs with hundreds of pixel lights that they can control and program one pixel at a time.
There will also be six new “Color Horizontal Building Outline Tracers” and two “Moving Color Spotlights” to the show. The two new moving color spotlights will add color and movement to the area of the lawn without lights. Kids love to chase these types of lights around the lawn.
Plans are to have Santa Claus and other Christmas characters appear for one or two special nights in December. Families can take pictures with them for free. They have been a big hit the last couple of years. Watch for dates to be announced in late November.
Remember to stop at Dickens Welcome Center where they have 20th anniversary ornaments, puzzles of the Courthouse Light Show, and a chocolate courthouse created by Nothing But Chocolate. While there, get dressed in Victorian costume and have your picture taken.
The Courthouse Holiday Light Show can be seen nightly from November 1 through January 1 of the New Year. It warms the heart to see our magnificent historical 1881 building come to life as it is bathed in more than 110,000 lights, amazing twenty-three foot Christmas trees, and over 60 animated displays.
Happy 20th Anniversary Holiday Light Show!
