Happy HoliJays

It’s almost time for the HoliJays.

Cruis’n the HoliJay Lights at the Fairgrounds kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday.

The inaugural event allows anyone to drive through the fairgrounds at night and see holiday lights and displays. Its intent: to bring more visitors and business to the county.

“We want people to come in to Jay County,” said Debi Gillespie, a member of the lighting committee. “Hopefully they’ll come to Jay County and shop and eat while they’re here.”

Cruising through the grounds Friday, families can expect to see a variety of Christmas-themed lights. Santa Claus and his reindeer can be spotted on the grandstands. Light displays resembling Christmas trees are sprinkled throughout the area. There are lights that look like a carousel or ice skaters, and there’s also strings of lights attached along buildings.

The fair board is also renting out spots along the drive for local businesses, not-for-profit organizations or residents to fill with lights for $100. As of Nov. 12, about two dozen had been rented. Gillespie noted there is a competition for best display, with the winner receiving $200 and a free spot in next year’s event.

The event will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings, with plans to also be open from 7 to 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving and 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 19. It will conclude following regular hours Dec. 26.

Visitors will enter the attraction via the front gate on Votaw Street and be greeted by volunteers. Those driving through the grounds will turn right at the secretary’s office, continue past the grandstand toward the harness racing horse barns and turn left at the speed office. From there, they’ll continue north until turning left onto the first road and keep going west until they reach the west fence, where they’ll exit onto Morton Street.

For anyone interested in walking the event, the option will be available from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 12. Winterfest activities are also scheduled for that day, including ornament and cookie decorating, carriage rides and a visit with Santa.

There’s also a petting zoo provided by Jay County 4-H clubs each Saturday, with the exception of Dec. 11. (It will be offered Dec. 12 in line with the Winterfest schedule.)

Volunteers at the gate will be taking free-will donations. Otherwise, it’s free to the public.

Plans for the event began around February last year, with the fair board creating a committee. Gillespie approached Jay County Commissioners in late March asking for $50,000 toward the project, which was later approved by Jay County Council and commissioners. In early April, Portland City Council approved $3,538.58 in economic development income tax (EDIT) funds for lights.

When the committee originally reviewed the finances, Gillespie estimated the event would bring in about $72,000 annually. (That figure was estimated with the idea of being open more days and charging an extra $5 on the weekends, along with about $32,000 in sponsorships.)

The EDIT advisory committee recommended the funding on the condition the fair board accept freewill donations rather than charge admission. Its hope was to encourage more people from all over to attend.

“We want the community to enjoy it, have fun, and be a part of it,” Gillespie said.