LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) - Shawnee was all smiles, Christmas carols and joy Saturday night for the neighborhoods first-ever "Light Up Shawnee" event.
"This event has been on the planning table for over a year. Last year the Shawnee neighborhood association had a Christmas party and we thought we could do bigger than this," Mary Ruth French said. "We're just part of a big team here. All these folks here have pitched in, brought their ideas, brought their expertise, brought their finances, their time, talent and treasures."
French helped organize the event, along with other faith and business leaders, as well as volunteers from across the community.
The festivities included singing carols, candy and food, games and of course, a visit with Santa. But to many, the event was about much more than celebrating the holidays.
"It's more than just the lights. Its the spirit of this community that has been reignited," Metro Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton said. "I'm just happy to be here and see the smiles on the children's faces."
The event's organizers say they hope the festivities and holiday lights can be a beacon of positivity for the neighborhood.
"I cried because of those kids standing on Amy St. singing Christmas songs. There was no shooting. There were kids standing there and that was exciting," Tony French said tearfully.
French and his wife own the plaza where the event took place. Other leaders echoed his sentiments.
"That's a large part of this too is to bring people together in groups, big and small, from all different kinds of walks of life to help raise the level of life in Shawnee and bring this community back to its former glory," Anne Peak with Shawnee Christian Church said.
Peak said she knows the neighborhood has seen some negativity, which is why she believes the event was so important.
"It's not that we are trying to gloss over anything. We are trying to do something about it. And this is certainly a huge beginning to build some sustainable positive things going on so that we can build trust among each other so that we can tackle those big issues again," Peak said. "But we need everybody. We need everybody in the Shawnee neighborhood. We need everyone in Louisville to help us do this."
"The only thing that pushes back the darkness is the light," Chad Rehnberg added. Rehnberg is apart of Team Expansion Ministry and also helped organize 'Light Up Shawnee.'
"Our neighborhood is an incredible neighborhood and we tell people all the time that the west end is the best end," Rehnberg said. "We get to let our light shine and getting to come down here together and seeing the whole community come together was just beautiful."
All of the event's leaders huddled as a group as they sang "we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." They each emphasized their hopes the event continues in the future and grows even bigger each year.
French said they already have $15,000 to buy holiday decorations for next year and hope to expand the festivities blocks wide by the next holiday season.
►Contact reporter Tyler Emery at temery@WHAS11.com. Follow her on Twitter (@TylerWHAS11) and Facebook.