“We were so excited about it, we didn’t want to miss it,” said Cheryl Brunet of Otisco.
As the 20th celebration of Lights on the Lake was under way with its annual stroll Monday Nov. 23, community members were gearing up for the chance to bring their best pooch to Onondaga Lake Park for the first ever Verizon Lights on the Lake Dog Walk.
Hundreds of paws took the path beginning at 5 p.m. Nov. 24. The event, sponsored in part by Canines Unleashed, ran until 9 p.m.
Participants entered the park with a suggested $2 donation, although several entrants were seen donating more as they entered the main area of the park.
The lights were bright that night, with dogs sporting holiday sweaters and “glow rings” around their necks.
Many attendants talked about how much they loved the dog walk and hope to see it become a permanent part of Lights on the Lake.
“We were so excited about it, we didn’t want to miss it,” said Cheryl Brunet of Otisco.
Brunet attended with her daughter Mallory and their two Siberian huskies, Dannie, 4, and her 8-month-old pup Atticus.
“We usually come in our car every year,” Burnet said. “And we drive about an hour to get here, but it’s worth it.”
Stopping to take a picture near one of the light displays was Cindy Gannon of Liverpool and her golden retriever Riley, 6.
“It’s great, I hope they do it every year,” Gannon said. “I was a little surprised, there are a lot of people here.”
Gannon said she was excited for the walk and was surprised to see such a great turnout for this first-time event.
Noticing the happy faces and hearing positive remarks at the event, Leiko Benson, Onondaga Lake Park recreational supervisor, said the crew is already talking about next year.
“We’re already planning to make it annual,” Benson said. “It’s not for sure yet, but it’s an idea.”
Benson, along with other event planners said “turnout was fantastic.”
“We didn’t know what to expect after having the walk the night before,” Benson said.
Donations to the park were also generous, according to Benson, who said the generosity matched the goal of the Lights on the Lake program.
Hearing that everyone was “having fun,” turned out to be the “basic comment” Benson heard all night.
“It definitely is flattering to have this turnout,” Benson said of the first-time event that highlighted the 20th year of Lights on the Lake.
Lights on the Lake festivities will continue through Jan 10. Admission is $8 per vehicle, $6 on Mondays and Tuesdays with a Wegmans Shoppers Club Card.
Runners are invited to participate in the Lights on the Lake Fun Run held from 11 p.m. to midnight Saturday Jan. 2. The path of the light display is about 4 miles, according to Benson.
The Lights on the Lake is located in Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool. For more information call 453-6712 or visit LightsontheLake.com.
