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Holiday Park began in 1981, when a group of farsighted "Optimists" came to the Parks &
Recreation Director with a dream to convert Krug Park into a winter wonderland during the
holiday season. Although the department budget was tight, the director agreed after the men said
they would get people to help decorate, get donations and stand out in the cold to take donations as
people left the park.
The East Hills Optimists, along with assistance from other Optimist Clubs in town, friends and family have held to their promise to collect donations and fund the enhancements and improvements over the years. An estimated annual $12,000 has been put into expanding the dream; this doesn't include the Cherry Mash everyone gets as they leave the park.
An estimated 100,000 people visited Holiday Park last season. It is the largest seasonal display in
the Midland Empire.
St. Joseph is the place to be this holiday season. Make it a point to get out to see Holiday Park and Hyde Park.
Expanding the dream of lighting the entire parkway, Hyde Park became the southern holiday park in 1993. The first year, there was a computerized Merry Christmas sign and one of the shelters was strung with lights. Hyde Park is now the "South Pole" with all the trimmings.
At Krug Park there was a living nativity scene, complete with sheep and a donkey from 1981until 1990. A stationary display was then set with mannequins and stuffed animals. The first year of the living nativity, it was extremely cold, cold enough to cancel the display a few nights. The other nights, the actors, animals and stage crew braved the freezing temperatures.
Setting up Holiday and Hyde Parks takes about a month and a half. Most of the available park
employees chip in. It's hard work, sometimes wet or cold, but the crew enjoys being involved with
such a popular attraction.
When the park started in 1981, many of the additions like computerized action lighting were not even available. Now everyone enjoys the fish jumping in the lagoon and the snowball fight. Now with rope lighting, the displays take on a different look as new displays are added.
Over the many years volunteers have given thousands of hours of time to make the displays such a success. They have skills and talents that compliment and enhance what the Parks and Recreation Crews can do. Sponsors have given entire displays to add to the park. A church have taking over the set up and maintenance of the nativity scene was the first sponsorship. Since then, the train, Reason for the Season, soldiers and cannon, banners and many others have brought community together to show pride in the parks.
