Carillon lights to shine

Naperville’s Millennium Carillon has been ringing in the New Year for 14 years and has become a community gathering place for special occasions, both solemn and celebratory.

Beginning this spring, the carillon is commemorating community events, holidays and causes visually as well, through a new lighting program administered by the Naperville Park District.

To kick off the program, green lights were up March 15-17 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. From April 1-14, the carillon will “Light It Up Blue” in honor of World Autism Awareness as promoted by the nonprofit organization Autism Speaks. The lights will change back to green from April 15-22 in celebration of Earth Week at the Naperville Park District.

“Lighting the carillon, which undoubtedly is a community focal point, is a great opportunity to bring awareness to public events and to celebrate the holidays,” said Brad Wilson, director of recreation.

The 2013 lighting schedule includes red, white and blue lighting for Independence Day and Veterans Day, orange lighting for Halloween, blue lighting for Hanukkah, and red and green for Christmas.

For information regarding the 2013 carillon lighting schedule, visit napervilleparks.org.