Duval Times

City of Neptune Beach issued the following announcement.

Ho Ho Covid.  Even a pandemic can’t crush the Holiday spirit in Beaches Town Center.

For the past ten years, Beaches Town Center Agency has helped usher in the Holiday season with a festive Holiday Lighting display in Beaches Town Center, the central business district shared by Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. 

More than 200 palm trees wrapped in colorful lights that line the streets in front of shops and restaurants from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.  A stroll through Beaches Town Center is magical and on everyone’s Holiday checklist from locals to holiday visitors to families across Jacksonville. 

“Covid and the pandemic have stripped away a lot of joyful occasions and events this year.  It has been incredibly difficult for families and businesses and I can’t imagine not being able to light the night in Beaches Town Center” said Deanne Dunlop, a Neptune Beach resident, Beaches Town Center merchant and member of the Beaches Town Center Agency board. 

“We flip a coin each year to determine who’s going to put the lights on the Christmas tree at our house,” said Dunlop.  “Our tree feels like a big project.  Can you imagine the effort and expense of wrapping 200 trees every year?  It’s huge, but I can’t imagine Beaches Town Center without our beautiful holiday lighting display.  So, our BTC Agency board is getting creative in hopes of raising $25,000 to keep the tradition going and the community is helping.”

In 1991, a group of proactive citizens founded the Beaches Town Center Agency – a coalition designed to work in partnership with the merchants and cities of Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach to ensure protection of the business area’s unique character. 

Through fundraising efforts, the BTCA was able to create synergy in the central business district across two city governments with the goal of making the area more inviting and pedestrian-friendly. These efforts also expanded into major enhancements for the area such as landscaping and the addition of public amenities including park benches, bike racks, brick sidewalks, maps, wayfinding signs, and the Holiday Lighting display and decorations.

Many people assume these amenities have been paid for by the city governments when in fact, they’re the product of the BTCA’s hard work. 

For the past 10 years, BTC Agency has fully funded the Holiday Lighting display in Beaches Town Center through fundraising efforts including the sale of engraved sidewalk bricks, the Dancin in the Street™ Festival, Coastal Carnivale, Beaches Tour of Homes, and private donations.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the BTC Agency was forces to cancel all fundraising efforts and events this year to safeguard the community from large gatherings.

A “LIGHT THE NIGHT“ campaign is underway where BTC merchants and residents have already committed to sponsoring trees and virtual ornaments.  Merchants and BTCA Board members including Richard Arthur, BTCA Board President and Julie Weber, owner of T-Dubs and BTC Merchant Association president along with other merchants have committed to host small gatherings called “LIGHT THE NIGHT” Suppers.

If you are able and would like to help “LIGHT THE NIGHT” in BTC, here are a few ways you can help.

Host a “LIGHT THE NIGHT” Supper – Gather responsibly in small groups with your friends for the sake of fundraising, friendship and fun.  Sponsor a tree or sponsor a dozen - it’s up to you and your guests to set your own goal.  Details are available on the BTC website at www.beachestowncenter.com or email mybeachestowncenter@gmail.com for details and a Host Kit.

Sponsor a tree for $175 – Commemorate a special occasion or person by adopting a tree at BTC.  Adoptees may include a message with their name on the BTC website sponsor page.

Virtual ornaments are available for anyone interested in contributing to the fundraising efforts with a smaller donation?  Purchase a virtual ornament for $50 www.beachestowncenter.com.

Original source can be found here.