Get ready to hang those LED lights now! Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd., AEDC Live. Work. Play. Initiative, ACDA and Anchorage Chamber of Commerce are joining forces with downtown businesses to bring back the annual Anchorage City of Lights program. Read more on how you can get involved!
Contact us now if you would like a free strand (or more) of LED lights to hang in your business windows!
For FREE Lights, please contact our office at 907-279-5650.
Anchorage Downtown Partnership and our downtown partner organizations have identified increased lighting as a key issue in improving public safety in Anchorage, especially in the dark winter months and when there is little snow to reflect existing light. Adding exterior lights to businesses and residences is an easy and effective way to increase safety and walkability of the city during the wintertime. In addition, the extra light creates an inviting atmosphere into business storefronts encouraging shoppers and locals to visit and shop at our small, local businesses.
The City of Lights is a longtime tradition in Anchorage, starting in 1994, where residents and business owners were encouraged to display white lights on their buildings throughout the winter, while light poles on streets and sidewalks were wrapped with lights to enhance visibility and holiday spirit on major thoroughfares. In recent years the program was cut because of budget constraints.
Though the municipality is facing a tight budget season, the business community has stepped up to support the project to brighten up downtown this winter. Lights will be going up during the week of Thanksgiving, and the downtown streets will continue to be lit through the end of Fur Rendezvous in March.
Downtown businesses are encouraged to decorate and hang white holiday lights on the exterior of their buildings or in their storefront window display by Saturday, November 26th, which is National Small Business Saturday. The Anchorage Downtown Partnership will provide complimentary lights to any business that needs assistance getting them, and will be helping to wrap lights on light poles on main roads in Downtown Anchorage.