Random Internet surfing by a new, energy-saving Christmas-light manufacturer has led to the company donating a case of its lights to Jackson Township’s Light-Up Night and Festival of Trees. The township s holiday celebration, complete with caroling, model train display, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus will be held the evening of Saturday, Nov. 24 at Veterans Park in Vinco.
About 15 live trees have been ordered to date by local businesses and organizations participating in the tree-decorating contest. Philip Curtis, co-owner of HolidayLEDs.com, said he saw last week s Tribune-Democrat online story about Jackson s second annual event after searching the Web for related Christmas-tree articles. We sell LED Christmas lights and I just look for articles related to that, Curtis said.
To promote his product and help small municipalities with holiday lighting, the year-old Jackson, Mich., e-commerce company is sending about 1,000 lights 12 sets of the township s choice at a retail value of about $25 per set, $300. I was surprised, township Manager Dave Hirko said of the e-mail he received from Curtis, offering the lights at no charge to the township. I thought maybe they had the wrong Jackson Township.
Hirko said there are 19 Jackson Townships in the state, and numerous others nationwide. He said the gift will not only add to the planned 15,000-light display planned at Veterans Park in Vinco, but also educate the public about light-emitting diodes, LEDs. According to Curtis, LED Christmas lights are 80 percent to 99 percent more efficient than traditional holidays lights and will last for more than 50,000 hours. LEDs also are nearly indestructible due to their epoxy plastic makeup.