The only fundraiser Bogalusa’s Christmas in the Park Committee conducts is now under way with the annual sale of Christmas in July raffle tickets.

The lucky ticket holder will win $5,000 in a drawing to be held on July 9.

Only 150 raffle tickets at $100 each are sold with the drawing scheduled to be held at noon at the Washington Economic Development Foundation Office, located at 524 Georgia St. in Bogalusa, where the Christmas in the Park holds its monthly meeting.

The winner does not need to be present and will be immediately contacted by telephone. And for those who do not win the cash prize being offered, the stub of the ticket is still good for two season passes for the 2015 Christmas in the Park lighting display held in Cassidy Park beginning Thanksgiving Day and remaining open to and including Christmas night.

Except for donations received from individuals, corporate sponsors and gate receipts, the annual raffle ticket sales operational funds are received from the city or state.

Last year’s proceeds from the raffle ticket sales provided funds to purchase a large number of new LED lighting displays, which really enhanced the beauty of the annual event.

It is planned with this year’s receipts to make the 23rd year of the display even more beautiful by replacing, as funds permit, existing mini lights with the more colorful LED lights on many of the animated figures purchased when the first lighting display opened in 1974. This endeavor is a very expensive changeover as the cost of the LED bulbs is approximately four times that of the currently used incandescent lights used in the past.

The LED lights also have a much greater burn life and draw about one-tenth the amount of electrical power.

The Christmas in the Park C ommittee volunteers are excited about the new plans and encourage the purchase of a raffle ticket when contacted.

To purchase tickets, citizens can contact committee treasurer Shirley Thompson at 985-735-7565.

Attending Bogalusa’s Christmas in the Park with many major displays and millions of lights is now a well-loved family tradition. It celebrates the magic of Christmas as individuals and families stroll throughout Cassidy Park to enjoy the spectacular show of lights and animated figures, visit the two museums, warm up by the Yule Log or enjoy a cup of hot chocolate from the deli.

Santa Claus also visits the park each night to hear children’s Christmas wishes. Overall, it’s an enjoyable experience for the young and old alike.

On a continuing basis, the Christmas in the Park Committee will accept any monetary donations toward the purchase of items that will enhance the brilliant nighttime holiday spectacle in the expanded Cassidy Park by calling Shirley at 985-735-7565.