The Carroll County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Association opens its annual Festival of Lights at Swan Lake State Park tonight (Friday). For nearly 25 years, first responders from around the county have decorated Swan Lake State Park for the holidays, and EMS Association Treasurer Kristin Nehring says many people in the area look forward to it.
The Festival of Lights is a loop through Swan Lake State Park. Visitors begin from the southwest entrance via 220th Street, turn south toward the Carroll County Conservation Education Center, and circle back west through the campgrounds. Nehring says the light show gets bigger and better every year, and 2024 is no exception.
As vehicles finish their circuit through the Festival of Lights, volunteers from the county’s EMS departments will be stationed at the exit collecting donations for the association. Nehring says those funds support current first responders and train new volunteers.
The Carroll County EMS Association Festival of Lights is available every night from Nov. 29 through Christmas from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. They are hosting a special one-night-only event on Saturday, Dec. 14, with hayrides through the lights and cookies with the big man himself, Santa. Individuals wishing to donate can also mail checks made out to the “Carroll County EMS Association” to the Carroll County Ambulance Service at 203 E. 3rd St. in Carroll or through the association’s Venmo account: @CarrollCountyEMS.
