Memory Lane lights up the holiday remembering loved ones who have passed

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Sherman Park is lit up once again as families remember their loved ones on Memory Lane.

Going into its fourth year, the memorial event invites the community to take a winter stroll through a display of decorative lights and signs.

“It’s amazing,” said Cherie Schweinfurth. “It’s a nice thing, at Christmas time especially.”

Cherie and Sean Schweinfurth started Memory Lane in 2021 and have watched it grow as more families participate in the annual display. For a one-time fee people can order a personalized sign, made by Track Signs out of New Hampton, to be included on the display. Every year more signs are added to the display as people commemorate loved ones in the memorial.

“I don’t know if we realized that it would get as big as it’s getting,” said Schweinfurth.

This year the program is up to about 400 signs distributed across Sherman Park.

Needing more than just their own friends and family to set everything up, Schweinfurth reached out to the Charles City Chamber of Commerce, who is taking up the organization of the project.

“You need more than two or three people to get it done,” said Schweinfurth. “It got to the point where we said we just can’t do it ourselves.”

With about 20 volunteers across two weekends in November, Memory Lane went up and was ready for a shining start on Nov. 30 along with other community holiday kickoff events.

“I like this project,” said Ginger Williams, the Chamber tourism coordinator. “It’s a good way to remember friends, family, and loved ones that have passed.”

The memorial lights will stay up until the weekend after New Year.