As Christmas approaches, the campground at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park is once again be transformed into a holiday wonderland. The 15th annual Lights at Kennedy will help make the season more festive for area residents and visitors. Additionally, the event raises money to support the important Backpack Buddies program.

Backpack Buddies has been a project of Noon Sertoma since 2010. It supplies elementary school-age children from low-income homes with nutrient-rich foods for consumption on weekends.

The numerous Christmas-themed displays that are at the heart of Lights at Kennedy are sponsored by businesses and organizations. Visitors will view them for a small fee of $5 per vehicle. This enjoyable outing has become a holiday tradition for many Fort Dodgers. It is a superb adventure that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Along the way, there’s a good chance participants will encounter Santa and his many helpers. We have it on good authority that Santa himself will be handing out candy canes.

The displays filling the Kennedy campground will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23. Each year there are changes and enhancements to keep the event fresh and exciting. This year, for example, there are twice as many arches as last year, and five new organizations have displays for the first time.

The Lights at Kennedy project is sponsored by Noon Sertoma and Fort Dodge Young Professionals. This month is filled with seasonal events that make it a joyous time of year. The Messenger strongly urges readers to include Lights at Kennedy on their hectic holiday agendas. The outstanding displays will help fill you holiday cheer. Your visit to Kennedy will also help fund a truly worthy local endeavor — Backpack Buddies.