DUBLIN – This year, the green lights at Lu Mil’s annual Festival of Lights event are more than just an traditional Christmas color — they wlil honor a special group.
The Green Light A Vet initiative is a campaign intended to show support to military veterans. Individuals who participate in it change one light in a prominent place in their home or business to a green light bulb and keep it burning to let veterans know they are being thought of. To date, almost 10 million people around the country have recorded their participation on the campaign’s web site, greenlightavet.com/.
In the spirit of Christmas and of honoring the military, Lu Mil will be transforming its iconic windmill into a towering Christmas tree of green lights.
“As folks from all over visit our light show, we want our tree of green lights to remind veterans how special they are to us and how much we appreciate their service,” reads a Lu Mil press release. “We encourage everyone to show their support by burning a green light for our veterans.”
The Christmas Light Show will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 27. It will then run on Thursday through Sunday from Dec. 1-4 and again Dec. 8-11, after which time visitors can view the drive-thru show nightly from Dec. 15-23. Tickets are $6 per person, with a maximum of $60.
“I’m not sure of the exact number of lights,” said Denise Bridgers, one of Lu Mil’s owners, “but we have hundreds of thousands. We usually start putting them up sometime in September.”
Also new this year, the site is a drop-off location for the U.S. Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots program. Any visitor who brings a new, unwrapped toy to Lu Mil on Sunday, Nov. 27, will receive a free muscadine slushie. Marked collection boxes are located in the candy store, the gift shop, and at the buffet.
“We want to give back to the community, and we want to involve the community in giving back, too,” said Bridgers. “This is just a way to give Christmas to a child who might not otherwise have it.”
The Vineyard’s double-decker bus is available for rent to groups of more than 20 people. The cost is $6 per person, and registration is required 48 hours in advance by calling 910-862-1603.
“That’s a really neat way to see the show, because you’re up above everything,” said Bridgers. “Reservations for that are already starting to fill up.”
One of the highlights for many folks is the country buffet, which will be open from 5 to 9 p.m.
Santa will be on site for the kids, and parents can shop in the Vineyard’s candy shops or gift shop while children take free photos with the jolly Père Noel.
More information can be found by calling 910-866-5819 or by logging on to lumilvineyard.com. Lu Mil is located at 438 Suggs-Taylor Road in Dublin.
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.
