LISBON – Today marks the opening of the annual Lights on the River exhibit at Lisbon Beach and Campground.

“We’re going to have 75 displays,” said Scott A. Wilhelm, president of the Lights on the River Inc.

“The first year we had 25, then 50,” Mr. Wilhelm said.

Lights on the River is currently in its third year.

The holiday light show is free and open to the public, although monetary donations and nonperishable food items are accepted at the entrance.

All donations go to local food pantries.

Mr. Wilhelm said this year the program will be supporting food pantries in Lisbon, Ogdensburg, Heuvelton, Hammond, Madrid, Waddington and Canton.

“Last year we raised $12,000 and about $5,000 in food,” he said.

Vice President Amy M. Fortin said she thinks “the draw is really that it’s the community getting involved.”

Roughly 12,000 people visited the exhibit last year, Mr. Wilhelm said.

Ms. Fortin said the event is free to drive through and free to participate in. Anyone is welcome to set up a display, she said, and it gives a lot of exposure to businesses and organizations.

“The only cost is what it takes to make the display,” she said.

Lights on the River will run from today to Dec. 23 and is open from 5 to 9 p.m. every day.

Groups with displays are:

Alternative Energy Class

Bishop General Construction

Blevins Brothers

Camp Mandaville

Clear Pond Hunting Club

Community Bank

Community Broadcasters (Ogdensburg)

Cub Scouts (Heuvelton)

Cub Scouts Pack 2 (Lisbon)

DeFelsko Corporation

First Congregational Church of Lisbon (White Church)

First Presbyterian Church of Ogdensburg

Frazer Computing

Gary & Aileen’s

Grace Presbyterian

Hand to Hand

Hepburn Library of Lisbon

JDRF The-Curiers

Jules Of Life Foundation

Julie’s Dance Studio

Linda Backus

Lisbon 89ers

Lisbon Lions

Lisbon National Honor Society

Lisbon Post Office

Lisbon Town Rec

LP Thompson Insurance Agency Ltd

Macs Sweets

Miller’s Swap Shop

NAPA Auto Parts (Gillies)

New Horizons Wireless

North Pole Satellite Office

NorthCountryNow.com

Northern Physical Therapy

NYSARC

Odd Fellows – Seaway Lodge No. 41

Off the Hook B&B

Ogdensburg Command Performances

Ogdensburg Correctional Facility

Ogdensburg Journal

Parkway Polaris

Pepsi Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers

PJs 4 Xmas

Potsdam BOCES – Dave Smith’s Class

Q Country 102.9/96.7 YES-FM/PAC 98.7

Ray Burns & Sons Trucking

Reintree Stables

Salon 1020

Salvation Army

Seaway Smokehouse

Senior/Ambassador Girl Scout Troop 50200 of Heuvelton

Small Fry Academy

St. Marguerite D’Youville Academy

Sons of American Legion – Lisbon

Source Capital Group, Inc.

Ss Philip & James Church

St Lawrence Federal Credit Union

St. Lawrence Reality Check

Stephens Media Group (Massena)

Stepping Stones Children Therapy

The Brander Family Generations

The Dirty Gringo

The Joanette Family

The King, Hall & Hooper Families

The Wilhelm Family (Hank & Geryl-Jo)

United Helpers – ICF – Heuvelton

United Helpers – ICF – Lisbon & Rens Falls

Walmart (Ogdensburg)

Wesleyan Church Young Adults

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