SHELBYVILLE - The holiday lights will be turned on in Shelbyville's Forest Park this evening as the Shelbyville Festival of Lights Committee hosts its first Christmas in July Celebration.

The event, held from 5 to 9 p.m., features pork chop, barbecued beef tips and hot dog dinners, cookie decorating, dance and martial arts performances, children's games and bingo.

"We'd like to make some money, so we can pay off some of the debt we still owe on the lights," said Light Festival Chairman Tad Mayhall. "But, more importantly, we wanted to give the community another fun event. A little Christmas in the summer."

Mayhall said the Shelbyville Festival of Lights plans to become a charitable organization once the $19,000 light debt is retired.

"That's the ultimate goal," he said. "We want to be able to donate to organizations and provide more for Shelbyville."

Visitors will see several refurbished light displays and some new items. Volunteers work year-round, stripping pipe, repainting and putting new bulbs in the display.

"I'm probably not going to put any Christmas decorations up this year," said volunteer Bill Bly. "I have Christmas decorating every day."

Bly also has created a new feature for the festival, a Candy Cane Lane. He showed a large candy cane, with a plaque hanging from it honoring someone. The cost, for the holiday season, is $15. Bly's original honors his deceased grandson.

"We've had other people want to recognize our soldiers," Mayhall said.

Area businesses, organizations, law enforcement and the Shelbyville Fire Department also will have displays at the Christmas in July event.

"We have a very hardworking group of volunteers," Mayhall said. "It will be a great evening."

Sharon Mosley can be reached at sharonhrnews@yahoo.com.