JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Greater Belhaven Foundation (GBF) announced the end of the Bright Lights Belhaven Nights (BLBN) event.
Under the leadership of former GBF Director Virgi Lindsay, the annual music and arts festivals was developed 20 years ago.
Mayor Horhn seeks outsider to reshape Jackson Police Department
In 2020, BLBN was canceled due to the pandemic, as well as in 2021 due to weather. During this time, officials said the festival experienced the loss of its largest underwriter.
Due to these unforeseen events, what was initially designed as a fundraiser for the neighborhood, resulted in an event costing GBF upwards of $25,000 plus countless staff and volunteer hours. A dedicated group of volunteers stepped up in 2022 and 2023 to continue the festival on a smaller scale, rebranding to ‘Bright Lights.’ Though this model was successful and sustainable, the volunteer group also felt the fatigue of the amount of work required to execute the event and chose not to continue on…