LOUISVILLE, Ky. — I Would Rather Be Reading (IWRBR), a Louisville-based nonprofit that provides equitable access to literacy education and social-emotional learning to children with backgrounds of trauma, is partnering with other local nonprofits and schools for its third annual “Lights on Main” starting Friday, November 25, and running through Sunday, December 11. The event will be held in the RePurposed space at 615 West Main Street.
The free community-wide event includes a display of an anticipated 100 live Christmas trees in downtown Louisville, decorated for the holiday season by each participating organization. The event is intended to promote community and togetherness.
“Lights on Main is one of our most anticipated events of the year, and we’re thrilled to be hosting it again,” said Ashley Dearinger, I Would Rather Be Reading CEO and Founder. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together for a festive and fun event, but more importantly, to light up for a bigger cause – raising funds to provide additional resources for children enrolled in our programming.”
Guests at the event may pay $1 to vote for their favorite tree, and the organization or school with the top-voted tree will win the “Fan Favorite” award, which includes a Christmas tree trophy and a free tree to participate in “Lights on Main” in 2023. The winner will be announced on Sunday, December 11, and all funds raised from the contest will go toward IWRBR’s programming. Other tree awards up for grabs are “Best Branding,” “Judges’ Favorite,” “Most Unique,” “Most Festive,” and “Most Lou Spirit.”
In addition to the decorated trees, other family fun will be held at “Lights on Main” each Saturday during the event, including food trucks, photo opportunities, letters to the North Pole and pictures with Santa Claus. All funds from these events will support IWRBR’s after-school programs across seven Louisville Metro Community Centers, including Berrytown, Douglass, Molly Leonard Portland, Parkhill, South Louisville, Southwick, and Sun Valley.
“We are excited to see the 2022 Lights on Main event activate RePurposed in the middle of historic West Main Street and support Downtown vibrancy,” said Rebecca Fleischaker, executive director of Louisville Downtown Partnership. “This event is a fun way to help promote learning for local students, and we’re happy to join forces with I Would Rather Be Reading to make a difference in Louisville.”
I Would Rather Be Reading is currently accepting additional sponsors for “Lights on Main.” To learn more about the event or to become a sponsor, visit https://www.iwouldratherbereading.org/lights-on-main.
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