Keeping the Holidays Bright: Fairfield's Ornament Restoration Efforts

This article discusses the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce's annual fundraising efforts aimed at maintaining and repairing the beloved holiday ornaments in Central Park, highlighting community involvement and the sentimental value attached to these festive decorations.
Keeping the Holidays Bright: Fairfield's Ornament Restoration Efforts

Restoring the Holiday Spirit: Fairfield’s Fundraising Efforts for Central Park Ornaments

As the festive season approaches, Fairfield’s Central Park transforms into a kaleidoscope of vibrant life-sized lawn ornaments that captivate the hearts of locals and visitors alike. These cheerful decorations, a hallmark of the holiday spirit in the community, require diligent maintenance, prompting the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce to engage in annual fundraising activities to keep them in sparkling condition. This year, the chamber’s Tree of Lights campaign has successfully raised $6,500, marking a significant stride towards the preservation and enhancement of these cherished ornaments.

Life-sized ornaments bring cheer to Central Park.

Many Fairfield residents might be surprised to learn that maintaining these festive pieces comes with a hefty price tag. Repair costs can range from $1,000 to $5,000 each year, and as time marches on, those expenses are climbing. Recently, the chamber spent $1,000 solely on restoring a blow-molded leg for one of the beloved reindeer featured in the carousel at the park’s bandstand. These reindeer, crafted in the 1950s or 1960s by a shop class at Fairfield High School, are among the many ornaments that have stood the test of time.

Iowa’s brutal winters take a toll, as the elements wear down the decorations left exposed for just a couple of months each year. Components show visible signs of deterioration: the once vibrant red candles have faded to a dull orange, and several of them are teetering dangerously off their bases. Last year, a mouse’s nest was discovered inside one of the lady carolers, leading to emergency repairs to preserve the community’s festive spirit.

“The house with the three little elves used to be inside MidWestOne Bank, and they donated it to us,” says Chamber Director Mendy McAdams. “It was meant to be inside, and the elves are actually mechanical and used to move. But the roof and walls of the house are not sealed. You can see between them, and that lets in water, which creates mold.”

In a community where nostalgia intertwines with holiday cheer, McAdams understands the sentimental value that these decorations hold for residents. Rather than discarding irreparable items, the chamber is committed to auctioning them off when it’s time for retirement. The proceeds will be directed towards acquiring new replacements, ensuring the spirit of the season continues to shine bright. In an effort to be environmentally conscious, the chamber has also employed recycling strategies; for instance, this winter a team led by June Lowenberg adorned the lamppost wreaths with new lights and big red bows, enhancing their festive appeal.

Dedication to maintaining festive traditions.

In addition to caring for the ornaments, the chamber and its volunteers work tirelessly to prepare the Santa house and workshop, which hosts children eager to meet Santa every Friday and Saturday from Thanksgiving through Christmas. This year, McAdams shared an impressive statistic: close to 1,000 children visited the jolly man in red.

“We had to paint the inside of the workshop and replace the icicle lights on the building,” McAdams reflects. “I don’t think people realize how much goes into having those open for four weekends. We go through 250 cookies per weekend, and our last weekend was record-breaking. I had to buy more cocoa and cookies because we had over 300 kids come on our last Friday, and Saturday was just as busy.”

The tireless volunteer efforts and community involvement contribute to making Fairfield’s holiday celebrations magical. Every repair, every replacement, and every decorated wreath tells a story, reminding residents of the joy and warmth that comes with the season.

A heartwarming scene in Fairfield’s Central Park.

While the financial demands for upkeep continue to rise, citizens can find solace in knowing that their contributions are directly tied to the preservation of their beloved traditions. In a world where commercialization often overshadows the meaning of the holidays, the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce stands as a guardian of community spirit, ensuring that the ornaments provide not just decoration but a deep sense of belonging and nostalgia that binds residents to their past, promoting a festive atmosphere for generations to come.

As the community looks towards the future, the combined efforts of fundraising, repairs, and recycling serve as a testament to the resilience and commitment that defines Fairfield. The enchanting scenes in Central Park each holiday season not only foster joy but also cultivate a rich history that will echo for years to come.