Lockport Square display returns to the south side

Passing through the south side of New Philadelphia, drivers may notice the return of a large Christmas display to Lockport Square that had previously gone missing for several years. The effort to restore the many holiday silhouettes was spearheaded this year by Jonalee Limbacher Fernatt, who works in the New Philadelphia Service Director’s Office.

“The key people involved in setting the display up every year passed away,” Fernatt said. “Then I think it went unnoticed that they just weren’t there anymore. I wanted to find out what happened to them.”

It turned out that though the many snowmen and other characters were put in place privately, the city supplied storage space and electricity each year.

“They were right there, stored inside the old Lockport Town Hall building, which was slated for demolition,” Fernatt said. “We talked about trying to get them put out again last year, but there were too many uncertainties about the storage space and other things. And the electricity for that corner is actually tied to the town hall building. There was a lot to get sorted out. Once that was done this year, it was time to really get the ball rolling on the project.”

A social media page was created to get the word out, and an Amazon wish list brought in donations of light bulbs, cords, plugs and other necessities.

“Within 10 days we had enough money and donations to get going,” Fernatt said. “We didn’t worry about painting the silhouettes this year but focused on getting everything repaired and functioning.”

An electrician replaced plugs and reconfigured wiring to allow all of the pieces to be lit while replacing all the old bulbs with new LED versions. The whole business was made safe and brought up to code. Oct. 23 was designated volunteer day, and plenty of south side neighbors came out to help get everything in place.

Fernatt said the display began about 30 years ago when south siders got together to use the land, which is owned by ODOT, for a little Christmas cheer. One of the displays is now marked in the memory of founders Larry and David Vance.

“It has always been privately done, but the city has always helped out,” Fernatt said, adding there used to be several such neighborhood Christmas displays around town. “They’re mainly gone now, and I’m not sure what became of them. We wanted to make sure this one was put out again and will be in the future.”

To that end, an account for south side neighbors has been set up at Huntington Bank to revive future donations. “That way donors are writing checks to a fund rather than to anyone personally. We really want to address the silhouettes in the future. They were out for many winters and are in need of some repairs and restoration,” Fernatt said.

Fernatt, a longtime south side resident, said it’s all about community and coming together for the holidays.

“Christmas is about the memories you create rather than the presents and food. It’s small things like this that you can do to make a difference that matter. This is how you change the world for the better. You do what you can do, address what you are able to change,” she said.

Lockport Square is on South Broadway, south of New Towne Mall and just beyond the Route 250 overpass. The display will be lit each evening through the end of the year.