‘Light A Legacy’ to beautify downtown Forsyth for years to come

An exciting project is in the works to beautify downtown Forsyth for the upcoming Christmas season and for years to come. 

The Branson Christmas Coalition is partnering with Forsyth High School, the City of Forsyth, White River Valley Electric Cooperative and local fabricator Frank English of Creative Custom Fabrication & Metalworks. Forsyth High School students are fashioning one-of-a-kind metal snowflakes for the city’s 16-foot lampposts, combining the opportunity to learn practical skills with a contribution they will recall with pride when they return to the downtown area in the future. 

At the Forsyth Area Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday, September 8, Roxanne Amundsen and Elizabeth Hughes shared more about the project with local leaders. A trip to visit another community project several years ago inspired Peter Herschend of Silver Dollar City to expand the City’s lighting and also be able to offer employees more hours in the season; and also inspired Amundsen, who at that time was involved with the City of Ozark. Herschend became chairman of the board for Ozark Mountain Christmas, and the Christmas Coalition began to grow, leading to the question, “Why not Forsyth?” as the city’s lighting had not been updated in many years. 

White River Valley Electric Cooperative grant funding helped buy the supplies. School administrators and instructor Clint Gailey in the agriculture department were immediately on board, seeing the opportunity for students to gain practical experience along with a real investment in the community. “Students will be excited to return and see these for years to come,” said superintendent Dr. Grant Boyer. 

The 26 unique custom 40-inch snowflakes will be valued at more than $20,000, and built to last. While the grant funding was a huge help, funding of approximately $2,100 is still needed toward acquiring the lighting kits for the snowflakes. Sponsorship at any level is appreciated and will directly benefit the purchase of the remaining materials, with gifts of $150 or more to be acknowledged on special signage displayed on one of the downtown lamp posts. 

To get involved in this community investment, contact Elizabeth Hughes at 417-527-0399 or director@bransonchristmas.org for more information. Target date is for the display to be installed in Forsyth before the end of October, in time for the November 1 kickoff of Ozark Mountain Christmas.