Before Thanksgiving Day plates could even be set up, let alone washed and put away, crews with Willoughby Parks Department were busy preparing for the city’s next celebration, the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony It will be held on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Wes Point Park, 4232 River St. in Downtown Willoughby. Willoughby Parks Supervisor Scott Noel, in between tying down a large holiday archway, said that the annual event always drew large crowds and that people usually enjoy the change of scenery that marks the beginning of the holiday season. “We are just setting up for Willoughby’s Holiday Tree lighting which we do every year,” Noel said just prior to Thanksgiving. “We will have Santa’s House where Santa is going to be available for kids and when the official lighting happens, we will have the stage set up…” Workers with Willoughby Parks Department set up holiday lights. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) He said that while the Parks Department had a large hand to play in setting everything up, it’s a collaborative effort between most of the departments in the city who spruced everything up for the holidays. Workers stand on a ladder to put the final touches in lights at Wes Point Park, 4232 River St. in Downtown Willoughby. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) “There are a bunch of different departments who do (help),” Noel said. “Traffic is out putting out the banners, they also put up most of the decorations up in the park. We all do our own little things. We do the gazebo, the Santa House, the arch and sidewalk lights and then at Osborne Park we put up some lights. “We try and update it and change things every year but most of it is the similar thing.” “It’s always a good time and hopefully we have some good weather.” Noel added. Cars line the road in Downtown Willoughby during an early winter night. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) More information on the events that will be held during the Holiday Lighting Ceremony can be found at willoughbyohio.com.