35TH ANNUAL 2024-2025 WEGMANS LIGHTS ON THE LAKE
The 35th Annual 2024-2025 Lights on the Lake season was a great success this year running from Monday, November 17th - Monday, January 13th. We welcomed over 35,000 vehicles through the event this season!
Thank you to all of our sponsors AND to the staff at Onondaga County Parks. Lights on the Lake would NOT be possible without the support of our sponsors and hard work and dedication from the Onondaga County Parks staff.
RADIO:
Galaxy Media Partners ran 7,142 radio spots across KROCK, TK99, Sunny 102 and all ESPN Radio stations to promote the event with an additional 5,595 radio spots in our Utica market (radio stations including, KROCK Utica, Mix 102 and ESPN.) PLUS, our Syracuse University Athletic spots which includes 4 spots during all 16 SU Basketball games, 4 SU Football games, and 8 spots during the Coach Show.
Below are a few examples of the radio spots:
Billboards:
The images below were the billboard images used across Central NY to promote the event.
TV:
Below is an example of the spots that were ran by the team at Sinclair (channel 3, 5 and CW6) during the duration of the Lights on the Lake season!
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Below are a few examples of our social media posts during the duration of the Lights on the Lake season to get guests excited!
News/Press Coverage:
Below are a few links regarding the news/press coverage from the 2024-2025 Lights on the Lake Season.
Click HERE for “Lights on the Lake returning with new holiday displays and early 5K walk/run”
Click HERE for “Lights on the Lake returns to Onondaga Lake Park”
Click HERE for “What’s Happening in CNY: 2024 Holiday Events and Performances”
Click HERE for “Lights on the Lake to launch 35th season on Nov. 18th”
Click HERE for “You can help non-profits on the final night of Wegmans Lights on the Lake”
Lights on the Lake Gives Back:
The Wegmans Lights on the Lake raised $10,383 for local charities during the 2024-2025 season!
2024-2025 Local Charities of the Lights on the Lake:
Book Van-Go: Book Van-Go is a 501c3 non-profit that provides free books to children and families. During the summers of 2023 and 2024, Book Van-Go was parked each week at Onondaga Lake Park providing free books to park visitors. In the summer of 2024, Book Van-Go gave out 863 books to families at Onondaga Lake Park. The Wegmans Lights on the Lake donated a total of $1,940 to Book Van-Go.
Humane CNY AND Second Chance Adoption Shelter: Humane CNY, located in Liverpool, NY, strives to provide an animal shelter that shows compassion and respect by following a no-kill philosophy. They have been advocating for homeless cats and dogs since 1966. There vision is to create a better community through kindness to animals. Second Chance Adoption Shelter, located in Jamesville, NY, opened its doors to help give LOCAL dogs from the CNY community a second chance by pulling them from our overcrowded Syracuse City Shelter! Since then over 600 dogs have been adopted! The Wegmans Lights on the Lake donated a total of $2,480 to Humane CNY and Second Chance Adoption Shelter.
The Kara Fund: The Kara Fund is a local charity providing comfort to seriously ill children and their families. They are 100% volunteer group, working exclusively in CNY. They have been helping families for 14 years and have developed strong partnerships with hospitals, other nonprofits and social workers throughout the CNY region. The Wegmans Lights on the Lake donated a total of $853 to The Kara Fund.
Alpha Omega Phi Fraternity and Sorority: Alpha Omega Phi is a 501(c)3 non-profit that is dedicated to serving our veterans and community. The organization is made up of veterans, active duty, dependents our one goal is to continue to serve. They actively work with-in our communities to support veterans and their families. As veterans themselves they understand the struggles faced everyday by our men and women in uniform. We need our communities support to continue to fight homelessness, and help provide much needed services to the brave service members. That have always watched over all of us. Therefore it is our duty to now watch over them. The Wegmans Lights on the Lake donated a total of $853 to Alpha Omega Phi Fraternity and Sorority.
Kelberman: Kelberman is an organization specializing in autism support and services throughout all stages of life. Since 2005, they have been a cornerstone of support in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, serving over 1,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities each year. Their roots run deep in the community, with locations in Utica and Syracuse, fostering a powerful sense of belonging and connection. The Wegmans Lights on the Lake donated a total of $853 to Kelberman.
Matthew 25 Farm: Matthew 25 Farm, located in Tully, NY, is just completing its 16th year in operation. We grow, harvest and distribute, tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce annually, free of charge, to 36 food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, refugee and veteran groups in 5 counties, with approximately 60% going to food entities within the City of Syracuse. As we donate everything we grow, we must raise every cent each year to fund the farm for the following year. The Wegmans Lights on the Lake donated a total of $853 to Matthew 25 Farm.
Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital - Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital provides a safe, effective, innovative and family centered care for children in the Central NY region. As the Region’s only Level 1 Trauma and Burn Center, Upstate offers a complete range of health care services for children from birth to 19 years of age. The Wegmans Lights on the Lake donated a total of $2,548 to Upstate Golisano’s Children’s Hospital on top of the 150+ toys that were collected at the Lights on the Lake 5K and donated back to the Children’s Hospital.
Lights on the Lake Digital Guide
Click HERE to download the 2024-2025 Lights on the Lake Digital Guide!
Lights on the Lake 5K Run and first ever 5K Walk
The Lights on the Lake 5k Run sponsored by Upstate Orthopedics was SOLD OUT yet again this year with 850 registrants running along the Lights on the Lake path before the sun came up. We also held the first ever Lights on the Lake 5k Walk which also SOLD OUT, with 850 participants. During both events we also collected 150+ toys to donate back to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Social Media Statistics:
Page Likes = 24,732 (+2,431 new growth since last year)
Demographic Info = 87% Women | 13% Male
Largest Age Demo = 35 - 44
Top 5 Cities Reached:
Syracuse Metro
Rochester
Watertown
Rome/Utica
Auburn
Organic Reach - 402,000 impressions
Website Statistics:
From November 1, 2024 - January 13, 2025:
138,000 unique visits
261,000 page views
89% mobile (up from last year)
Top cities from website views in order
Syracuse
Buffalo
Albany
Rochester
Utica
Onsite Activation:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
The 2024-2025 season of Lights on the Lake was an unforgettable one! Thank YOU for your support and a special thank you to our sponsors, Wegmans, Upstate Honda, Upstate Golisano, Taylor Rental, Kitchen Express, IBEW Local 1249, Howard Hanna, Broadview, IBEW 43, Dr. Madonian, Visit Syracuse, Rescue Mission, CFCU, Iroquois Nursing, Taco Bell, Loretto, Kinney Drugs, Dunkin’, Countryside Federal Credit Union, OneGroup, Byrne Dairy, CSEA, Tessy, AmeriCU, National Grid, CNY Central, Palmer Electric, Sunny 102, Milback Custom Homes, MY Agency of CNY, Coca-Cola, C&S Companies, Bluefors, Bishop Grimes, Rudy Schmid, Lamar, Food Bank of CNY, Smurfit Westrock, Construction and Debris, Haylor Freyer and Coon, Taco Bell, Stewart’s Shop, Voss Signs, NBT Bank, NYS OPWDD, Hofmann, JW Didado Electric, Ace Hardware, Rentals to Go, MLC Recruitment, Brosh Plumbing, Foundation Homes, Inficon, LaFace Flooring, Kevin Sorge, DDS, UHaul, CNY Latino, Hearth Cabinets and More, Service Master, Peaceful Pets, Loretto, Helio Health, Milton Cat, Timber Banks, State Farm, Nila’s You Toss It We Fetch It, State Farm, Bagelicious, William George Agency, Jreck Subs, Syracuse Diocese and Upstate Ortho.