This year’s Lights Walk has attracted a lot of attention on Facebook and we may have larger numbers of people attending than we’ve had in recent past years. We want people to enjoy a great walk through the best of Downtown Omaha dressed up in its holiday finery for our annual Lights Walk. Here are a few pointers to help everyone have an enjoyable time, from the time they walk in the door, to the time when they come back and return their Start Card and head to the cookies table. Those who have done this event in the past should read this too, as there are a few differences from past registrations.
Location: The lobby of the Landmark Building, located between Farnam and Harney Streets on 13th Street. Look for the yellow and black sign (AVA/NWFT) outside the building, directing you inside. Surface parking and nearby parking garages are available. The walk itself will cover the Old Market, the Leahy Mall, and other downtown Omaha neighborhoods.
Cost: $1.50 exact change (Fun Walkers) or $3.00 exact change (AVA/IVV Credit Walkers – they stamp books at the end of the walk). We are collecting men’s socks (new), hats, gloves, scarves (new or gently used) and toilet paper (in packaging) to take to a local homeless shelter after the walk; donations are completely voluntary. If you want to bring cookies for the cookie table, those would be much appreciated!
Time: Registration takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Walkers must be off the trail by 8:30 p.m., so come to register at a time according to your walking speed and distance.
Registration: There will be no pre-registration, so that our volunteers won’t be hunting for names in a pile. Greeters near the door will hand each person a 2-part registration card. Fill this out with your name, hometown and SIGN the card (it’s a waiver that says you won’t hold us responsible if you hurt yourself while walking). Present the card with your fee to a set of volunteers at the registration tables. That volunteer will write a number on your card and separate the card, keeping half and giving you half. Bring that card back when you’ve finished your walk.
Route: Ask for either a 5k (3.1 mile) or 10k (6.2 mile) walking map. The route will be marked with chalk where allowed; chalk may be worn away or not allowed in some locations, so the map and directions will be essential. Please obey all traffic laws and signals as you walk.
This is a self-paced, non-competitive event. Times will not be logged or awarded. When you get back, we’ll have cookies provided by our volunteers, as well as coffee and hot chocolate. We’ll also have a raffle table, where a few lucky walkers will get their pick of prizes and consolation prizes will be available for everyone.
