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Liberty Lake Winterglow stalls as organizers cite volunteer shortfall
Summary
At its June 18 meeting the Community Engagement Commission heard that the city is not moving forward with Winterglow as previously planned because of low volunteer capacity and budget concerns; commissioners discussed alternative models and volunteer recruitment options.
The Liberty Lake Community Engagement Commission on June 18 discussed the future of Winterglow after city leaders indicated the event will not move forward in its current form because of a shortage of volunteers and the cost of staging the display.
Commissioners said the decision matters because Winterglow has been a high-profile winter holiday attraction and its pause leaves questions about where a winter celebration could be staged and who would staff it.
Commission members described multiple reasons organizers said they could not continue Winterglow as previously run: service-club membership has declined, longtime volunteer leaders have stepped back, and the city would face higher costs without a reliable volunteer base. Commissioners reported that, from a recent sign-in sheet, about 17 people marked that they would be willing to volunteer out of roughly 45 attendees — a participation level members said would not sustain the event as previously produced. Members also said much of the hands-on labor that made Winterglow possible came from school volunteers who could help only briefly.
Commissioners discussed alternatives for a smaller or differently sited winter celebration, including moving activities to the Townsquare Park/light-of-Liberty-Lake area rather than Orchard Park. They urged the city to clarify what, if any, funding remains available and to identify a realistic timeline for any reimagined event. Members proposed a City-run sign-up or “community corps” list so residents who want to help could be notified about volunteer opportunities across events, not only Winterglow.
No formal motion to adopt a new Winterglow plan was taken; the discussion ended with commissioners agreeing to act as outreach “multipliers” — talking to neighbors and directing interested volunteers to city staff — and to include follow-ups in future agendas and the commission’s update to city council.
Outlook: Commissioners asked city staff to report back about any City Council decisions affecting Winterglow funding and to let the commission know how to help with volunteer recruitment or alternative programming.
