Illuminating Leo

Picture this: Riverside Gardens aglow each evening during the holiday season, decked out in lights in the style of the historic Blue Jacket Festival of Lights at Franke Park Zoo in Fort Wayne, children enjoying the park in the winter, families visiting local restaurants and open shops before and after visiting the holiday display. 

In an effort to draw more families to our parks and share our amazing community asset with more, we are organizing “Illuminating Leo,” a walkthrough holiday light display through Riverside Gardens Park in Leo running Nov. 21 – Jan. 6.

This is an event hosted by the Town of Leo-Cedarville and Leo-Cedarville Parks, in partnership with local nonprofit community development organization, the Leo-Cedarville Foundation. 

We are asking local families and businesses to consider sponsoring a light display to make this event possible! Each sponsorship will last for the lifespan of the light fixture; the Town of Leo-Cedarville will care for and place the installation each year along with a sign displaying your name or business name. These sponsorships will be run through the Leo-Cedarville Foundation, and so they are tax-deductible!

In 2024, the light display will have its inaugural evening Thursday, Nov. 21, accompanied by the activities which might include: 

• A dedication ceremony for the “I” Am Allen sculpture, a gift to Leo as part of the Allen County Bicentennial celebrations. 15 sculptures, painted with murals representing each community’s individual identity, will be placed throughout the County. 

• Holiday “punch cards,” allowing guests to visit local shops and restaurants, encourage them to #ShopLocal and receive a special treat or surprise at each location, such as candy canes, cookies, stickers, cocoa and more! Many shops will be open later, until 7PM, for this experience!

• A special inaugural “lighting ceremony” by Town leadership, officially opening “Illuminating Leo” to the public for its 2024 season!

• Live music

Learn more about opportunities to leave YOUR legacy on this incredible community event on the back or by visiting leocedarvillefoundation.com. 

Sponsorship Details:

Let’s embark together on a journey to bringing an all-new annual tradition to our community! A walkthrough holiday lights display will run from Nov. 21 – Jan. 6 for the 2024 season.

Your sponsorship of a light fixture, in the style of the historic Blue Jacket Festival of Lights at Franke Park Zoo in Fort Wayne, will live on for years to come during “Illuminating Leo” each year, a walkthrough holiday lights experience in Riverside Gardens Park in Leo-Cedarville! 

Your sponsorship will host many benefits, including: 

•  Signage displaying your name or family name near the light you’ve sponsored each year. 

•  Your name displayed annually for the lifespan of the piece, which is anticipated to be many years.

•  Social media recognition across Leo-Cedarville Foundation & Town-run social pages. 

•  Tax-deductible donation receipt.

Sponsorship pricing varies based on which light fixture you choose. Scan the QR code below for more. You will be invoiced for your sponsorship via PayPal by the Leo-Cedarville Foundation.

In addition, you’re invited to participate in “Illuminating Leo”’s inaugural evening and kickoff event Thursday, Nov. 21! Should your business or organization wish to host an item on the Holiday “punch cards,” wherein guests are encouraged to #ShopLocal through visiting our area shops and organizations, please do the following: 

•  Commit to being open until at least 3 – 7PM on Thursday, Nov. 21

•  Decide which item you’d like to host, which could include candy canes, stickers, cocoa or anything else that might strategically fit your brand! 

•  Fill out the survey using the link above or learn more via the sponsorship letter below.