This McHenry Co. Holiday Display Receives Grant For Upgrades

TROUT VALLEY, IL — Trout Valley is among 24 communities in northern Illinois that will receive a $2,500 grant to help improve a community lights display this holiday season.

ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus announced the winners of the grants this past week. The grants are doled out as part of the annual ComEd Powering the Holidays Program.

“Holiday light displays have a unique way of bringing people together and creating shared moments of wonder and joy,” said Melissa Washington, senior vice president of customer operations and strategic initiatives at ComEd. “Through our partnership with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, we’re proud to help create experiences that are not only visually remarkable but that also create deep, meaningful connections between our neighbors.”

The village of Trout Valley will receive funds to help upgrade its power delivery equipment to light a 130-year-old barn, which is used for holiday displays.

"This project will improve safety and reliability—ensuring the holiday magic is lit all season long," according to a ComEd news release. Patch.com has reached out to village officials for more information regarding the holiday lights display.

Since 2021, the powering the holidays grant program has celebrated the unique character of local communities by supporting holiday events that promote cultural exchange and foster inclusivity. With the latest 2024 grant recipients, ComEd has now provided a total of $172,000 in funding to 70 communities and organizations for holiday light displays since the program's launch, according to a ComEd news release.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with ComEd through the Powering the Holidays Program,” said Neil James, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. “It’s always inspiring to see the creativity and diversity of the light displays that these grants help bring to life year after year. These events do more than brighten our communities; they create opportunities for people to come together and share an appreciation for the rich cultural traditions that make our communities unique.”

Communities will use these grants to power holiday light events taking place between November 1 and Feb. 13, 2025. Municipalities, townships, counties and other local government entities within ComEd's service territory were eligible to apply for funding.

Powering the Holidays is part of ComEd's ongoing commitment to supporting holiday light events across Chicagoland, including popular holiday attractions at Lincoln Park Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, The Morton Arboretum and Chicago Botanic Garden. To learn more about Powering the Holidays, visit the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus website.