Image by Shelby Simpson with Storyteller Images
Tuesday night the Batesville City Council met for regular business.
Among routine reports from the police department and city engineer, the final totals for White River Wonderland including visitors, holiday lights, and more were shared.
Johnathon Abbott, who oversees White River Wonderland, spoke to the Council and shared many thanks to the individuals, departments, and sponsors that donated funds or worked tirelessly to make the attraction possible during the past holiday season.
Abbott reported 63,499 vehicles drove through the display of approximately two million lights.
The vehicle traffic is estimated to have brought roughly 200,000 visitors through the display.
Other stats reported include 4,604 train rides and 4,286 horse-drawn carriage rides were given through the display, even with COVID-19 precautions and restrictions in place.
During Mayor’s Comments, Mayor Rick Elumbaugh shared the City is receiving a 50-50 matching grant from Arkansas Parks and Tourism to fund the construction of a splash pad on the west side of the city, near the elementary school.
The Council will meet again on March 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Batesville Municipal Building.
