People driving around Owensboro to view the city's Christmas lights Wednesday evening were surprised to see they were all turned off. The city unplugged all its Christmas fixtures and invited the community to follow suit. The blackout lasted one night as a way to memorialize the victims of mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
City leaders hope the city-wide display will help connect Owensboro to Newtown. The solemn memorial was intended to let Newtown residents know they're not grieving alone.
"The Christmas lights, to me, symbolizes a festive time, a joyful time, and this is not a joyful time for those people in Newtown. So we just thought if we turn the lights off it would be a way to let them know that we're not celebrating in their tragedy," says Pam Smith-Wright Owensboro Mayor Pro Tem.
The city's Christmas displays will return to their regular schedule Thursday.
City leaders hope the city-wide display will help connect Owensboro to Newtown. The solemn memorial was intended to let Newtown residents know they're not grieving alone.
"The Christmas lights, to me, symbolizes a festive time, a joyful time, and this is not a joyful time for those people in Newtown. So we just thought if we turn the lights off it would be a way to let them know that we're not celebrating in their tragedy," says Pam Smith-Wright Owensboro Mayor Pro Tem.
The city's Christmas displays will return to their regular schedule Thursday.
