The 2023 Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights event will be closed to vehicles and carriages and open ONLY to runners, walkers, and persons using wheelchairs or other mobility equipment for “Bright Lights for Easterseals” – a 5K timed run AND 1-mile family-fun walk!
Shirts are included in the 5K if you sign up by Nov. 17. Information below details more on the 5K and the 1 mile walk.
Proceeds from Bright Lights for Easterseals help fund inclusive early education and therapy for local children and adults with disabilities.
For questions or to volunteer, contact Rhonda Trail, 812-430-3833 or rhonda_trail@yahoo.com
Registration for the 5K is $25 and includes a t-shirt. After November 17, registration is $30 without a guarantee of a t-shirt.
The 5K timed race begins at 5:45pm CDT and will start under the lighted arches closer to the entrance of Garvin Park off Morgan Ave. The course consists of 3 laps around the park and through the Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights light show, finishing back under the lighted arches.
You may run or walk this race, but we ask that you keep a pace to be completed within an hour.
Awards will be given to the top two runners who finish the fastest in the age brackets listed below:
– 10 and under
– 11-18 years old
– 19-29 years old
– 30-39 years old
– 40-49 years old
– 50-59 years old
– 60-69 years old
– 70 and up
There will be an Overall Female and Male RUN Award given as well as age groups for Men and Women in the listed age groups.
For the WALKERS who register for the 5K timed race, there are no age groups but to be eligible for prizes you must finish the course in under an hour.
Admission for the 1 mile walk is $5 per person with proceeds benefitting the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center. Please check in at the registration table and give your donation before you begin your walk.
T-shirts are NOT included with the $5 donation, however shirts are available to purchase in advance for $20. The last date to purchase shirts is November 17.
NEW for 2023: The walkers will start at a different location than the 5K. The starting point for the community walk is near the striped tent next to the Depot Train Light Display. It will NOT be by the lighted arches.
The starting point for the community walk is near the lighted arches at the entrance to Garvin Park closer to Morgan Ave.
The community walk is not a timed event and will begin at 6:15pm CDT. We ask that no one begin the walk until this time in order to keep the 5K racers safe. You may begin your walk at any time from 6:15pm until 8:30pm but please note the lights in Garvin Park will go dark at 9pm.
No one will be allowed to begin a walk after 8:30pm.
In case of inclement weather, the decision to have the race or not will be determined upon event day. There will be no refunds but the race/purchased shirts will be available for pickup. Further information will be provided at that time.