Leland Chamber Meets Fundraising Goal For Light Up Leland

Good news, Lelanders: Light Up Leland is back on.

The Leland Chamber of Commerce, which pays for the annual Christmastime illumination of Leland’s downtown area, announced last week that the holiday tradition was in jeopardy. The Leland Chamber was forced to cancel the Leland Wine & Food Festival fundraiser this year, which left the organization short on the funds to pay for community events like Light up Leland or the Fourth of July fireworks. Just as the chamber asked for donations to keep the fireworks tradition alive, the organization also asked last week for the community to chip in to keep Light up Leland alive.

According to Monday Facebook post, the Leland Chamber has reached its fundraising goal — “and then some” — for Light up Leland.

“The Chamber has already contacted our lighting contractor to let him know we are all set, and any excess will be put in a separate account for next year's holiday lights,” the chamber said in the post. “Thank you again to all those that donated and spread the word, Leland will be shining again this holiday season thanks to you all!”

Editor’s note: Last week, in our initial coverage of the Light up Leland news, the Leelanau Ticker used a photo of Leland’s Old Art Building bedecked in Christmas lights. Per OAB Communications Director Mary Winowiecki, the OAB is not a part of the Light up Leland display and actually pays for all its lights and Christmas decor separately. Winowiecki assures locals, donors, and fans that OAB will have its typical light display up and running this holiday season.