When Lights of Hope Director Ben Phillips announced recently that he was selling the popular Christmas light display, many in Anderson, South Carolina, feared that this would be the end of a 22-year-long tradition. Fortunately, two volunteers, Kara Danowski and Nettie Griffin, have stepped up to ensure that the 2016 Christmas display will go forward as normal.

Phillips, who took over the show in 2005 along with Dennis Lavold, has been searching for a buyer for the light show since January but only recently made the decision public. Phillips says the decision was difficult but that other commitments and changes in his personal life did not leave enough time to devote to the show. Phillips will be marrying his fiancé, Lights of Hope board member Bonnie Ginepro this fall. Ginepro has also accepted a new job, which will require the couple to relocate to Duncan. Lavold plans to spend time traveling and visiting his grandchildren. At the time of the initial announcement, Phillips said that deciding to sell the light show felt like losing a member of the family.