Light the Town continues into 2022. As of today's date, the OBA has spent over $20,000 on the project. We invite you to collaborate with us as this project continues. Community support and teamwork are essential!
Also, due to the many requests from merchants and local citizens, the OBA has turned on the lights year-round to look more festive and add a measure of safety in the illumination. We will need the community's support to take on this added financial obligation in bulb replacement and system maintenance. Please give below.
Please contact us at [email protected] if you'd like to volunteer or provide support for this project. Or, you can donate now using the PayPal portal below.
Also, due to the many requests from merchants and local citizens, the OBA has turned on the lights year-round to look more festive and add a measure of safety in the illumination. We will need the community's support to take on this added financial obligation in bulb replacement and system maintenance. Please give below.
Please contact us at [email protected] if you'd like to volunteer or provide support for this project. Or, you can donate now using the PayPal portal below.
Donate to LIGHT THE TOWN Using Our PayPal Portal
Use your credit or debit card or bank account routing to make a donation online.
Or Mail a Check
Checks payable to "Oneonta Business Association"
Mail to: OBA LIGHT THE TOWN FUND
P. O. BOX 1976
ONEONTA, AL 35121
Mail to: OBA LIGHT THE TOWN FUND
P. O. BOX 1976
ONEONTA, AL 35121
The Evolution of Lights in Oneonta
We Thank Our Donors
Thanks to the following individuals, organizations, and businesses who have contributed to the LIGHT THE TOWN campaign as of today's date. Is your name missing? Do something about it today!
- Jack M. Bains
- Blount County Board of Education
- Blount County Commission (Courthouse)
- Blount County Master Gardeners
- Blount-Oneonta Chamber of Commerce
- Greg Brown
- Brunson, Barnett, & Sherrer
- Linda York Bynum
- Al & Pat Clanton
- City of Oneonta
- Joe & Tina Gibbs
- Rhonda Gouger
- Hammer's Department Store
- Ruth Hays
- Bill & Cheri Hendrickson
- Hometown Bank
- The Huie Group
- Sue Knight
- Diane McCoy Lee
- Magnolia House
- Tara Murphree
- Mr. & Mrs. David Nation
- NeSmith, Lowe, & NeSmith
- The Olive Home
- Oneonta Business Association
- OTELCO
- SET Logistics
- Sixth Street Station
- Stacy E. Ragsdale
- Jerry & Yvette Reaume
- Redeemer Community Church
- Matt Taylor
- Stacy Wester
- Patti Moss Williams
Donors of In-Kind Services
- Daryl Bergquist, Earth Steward Solar Consulting
- MG Services (Mark Gargus)
- Mike Gordon Electric
- OTELCO / Mike Cobb & Keith Benefield
- PMW Communications
- Redeemer Community Church (Meeting Place)
- Xcel Masonry
- United Rentals
- West One Holdings
Plus These Volunteers
- Pat Clanton
- Daniel Clem
- Rachel Gargus
- Bill Hendrickson
- Tara Murphree
- Jimmy Wester
- Lisa Wester
- Patti Williams
Your Name Missing?
If you helped put up the lights, please let us know so we can list you. If you have yet to donate, please do so below!
About the Light the Town Project
For several years, the Oneonta Business Association (OBA) has considered replacing the city’s rooftop Christmas lights with new, clear, energy-efficient LED bulbs that can be illuminated by solar power. However, such an undertaking requires the support of the property owners and the local community to become a reality. A campaign called “Light the Town” has been established to raise funds for this project. Contributions can be made through our PayPal portal (shown below), or checks can be mailed.
Phase 1 goal was $10,000 goal which was met when the City of Oneonta voted to assist the OBA by adding to their city allocation fund balance of $4774 to purchase the light system that will be installed in the downtown business district. Their generosity allowed the OBA to begin on Phase 2 which includes more coverage on Highways 75 and 231. In addition, several local businesses have opted to pay the OBA $2/ft for the lights on their buildings and enable even more coverage throughout town. Anyone wishing to order and pay for lights should measure their building and contact the OBA at 205-446-0462 or email ASAP as a second order of lights will be made soon.
With the new state law that allows no utility pole attachments within 10 ft. of live power lines, the need for LIGHT THE TOWN is even more critical as the City's snowflakes lights can no longer be displayed. Plus, they are very old, incandescent, and expensive to maintain; therefore, and the City will explore LED decorations in the not too distant future, but not in time for the 2019 Christmas season.
Around 25 years ago, Glenn Glaze, manager of Wittmeier Ace Hardware, donated the strings of clear incandescent lights that lined the downtown Oneonta rooftops and presented such a nice touch to the holiday season. Photographer Joe Miller captured the magic of those lights in 2007 with the above heading image. However, over the years, that light system began to deteriorate, came loose from their stations, and proved very expensive for the City to maintain. Finally, in 2017, the City chose to not turn on the lights for the season and, in the fall of 2018, they removed the antiquated lights from the buildings.
The OBA’s 2020 Festival of Lights/Christmas Staycation included the annual holiday decorating contest, photos with Santa, and the tree contest in which 37 fresh Fraser fir trees were beautifully and uniquely decorated by local businesses, organizations, and individuals, and displayed in the area of Oneonta’s gazebo on 1st Avenue East. Another popular addition is the OBA’s “Angels in Oneonta” mural, painted by volunteer artist Tara Murphree of Oneonta. For several years now, the OBA has sponsored activities with the goal of making Oneonta a “holiday attraction and shopping destination.” For the past 20 years in December, people from all over the state visited Palisades Park’s light extravaganza. Let’s give them a reason to stay a while longer in Oneonta to view the lights, sights, dine, and shop!
Phase 1 goal was $10,000 goal which was met when the City of Oneonta voted to assist the OBA by adding to their city allocation fund balance of $4774 to purchase the light system that will be installed in the downtown business district. Their generosity allowed the OBA to begin on Phase 2 which includes more coverage on Highways 75 and 231. In addition, several local businesses have opted to pay the OBA $2/ft for the lights on their buildings and enable even more coverage throughout town. Anyone wishing to order and pay for lights should measure their building and contact the OBA at 205-446-0462 or email ASAP as a second order of lights will be made soon.
With the new state law that allows no utility pole attachments within 10 ft. of live power lines, the need for LIGHT THE TOWN is even more critical as the City's snowflakes lights can no longer be displayed. Plus, they are very old, incandescent, and expensive to maintain; therefore, and the City will explore LED decorations in the not too distant future, but not in time for the 2019 Christmas season.
Around 25 years ago, Glenn Glaze, manager of Wittmeier Ace Hardware, donated the strings of clear incandescent lights that lined the downtown Oneonta rooftops and presented such a nice touch to the holiday season. Photographer Joe Miller captured the magic of those lights in 2007 with the above heading image. However, over the years, that light system began to deteriorate, came loose from their stations, and proved very expensive for the City to maintain. Finally, in 2017, the City chose to not turn on the lights for the season and, in the fall of 2018, they removed the antiquated lights from the buildings.
The OBA’s 2020 Festival of Lights/Christmas Staycation included the annual holiday decorating contest, photos with Santa, and the tree contest in which 37 fresh Fraser fir trees were beautifully and uniquely decorated by local businesses, organizations, and individuals, and displayed in the area of Oneonta’s gazebo on 1st Avenue East. Another popular addition is the OBA’s “Angels in Oneonta” mural, painted by volunteer artist Tara Murphree of Oneonta. For several years now, the OBA has sponsored activities with the goal of making Oneonta a “holiday attraction and shopping destination.” For the past 20 years in December, people from all over the state visited Palisades Park’s light extravaganza. Let’s give them a reason to stay a while longer in Oneonta to view the lights, sights, dine, and shop!
