Teachers from Marshall County Schools will gear up in reindeer antlers and elf boots to spread holiday cheer at an annual light show in Benton, with many students missing out on their annual Christmas parties at school this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the first time ever, the Marshall County Parks Department will host teachers from several area schools to wave at students driving by during the annual Christmas in the Park light show at Mike Miller Park.
Calvert City Elementary School Principal Kendra Glenn said she can’t wait to see her students' faces again.
“We’re just hoping that we’re able to see our kids even if it’s for a few minutes to wave and to wish them a merry Christmas,” Glenn said. “They’re missing the normal traditions that we have here at the school. Christmas parties and Christmas programs and pajama day. We’re hoping this is just a little something we can do to bring them a little Christmas cheer and give us a chance to be able to see them before the holiday break.”
Glenn also said her teachers were all aboard to make Christmas in the Park happen.
“They were all very excited, and they were willing to do any day the park had available for us. They just said ‘When and where, and we’ll be there.’ That’s how my staff responded,” she said.
Marshall County Parks Director Britney Hargrove said she was thrilled to receive calls from schools who wanted to put this show on. She said it was important to give students a fun Christmas since many have had a stressful school year.
“I felt like this was the perfect partnership this year to work with these schools and do something for the kids that they might not have been able to do this year. Bringing back a little bit of normality back to a year that has been completely abnormal from start to finish,” Hargrove said.
Benton Elementary School Principal Lorrie Shadowen said it was important to do something special for her students but to also socially distance. She is grateful the park allowed her school to participate in the event.
“It’s really neat, and we are very excited the park is allowing us to have that opportunity to have our parents drive though and us be there to wave and see all the kids' smiling faces,” she said.
Each school participating will have a day for families to come to the park and see their teachers from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Christmas in the Park is free for the public, however, monetary donations and canned food donations are appreciated to support local non-profit organizations.
