Write a commentHave you noticed the colors of the lights on the Bridge Street Bridge in Oswego? Those beautiful hearts placed on the light poles have been red, but also white, gold, purple, blue, and some days, they are a combination of colors.
So the question is, what is with the colors and who is changing them?
iHeart’s Facebook page had some stunning pictures taken by our own Jerry Maher. Posted a couple weeks ago, they brought on some discussion about whether or not the lights are purposeful or just get stories made up about them. Then behold, a dear friend from my past steps in and tells me, “They are done for a reason, because I do them.” I had to know more.
Ellen Clark, a friend I have not seen in a while, walked me through how she came to be in charge of the lights on the bridge.
Nine years ago, Ellen worked for the mayor on the Oswego Promotion and Tourism Advisory Board. One day while she was walking the farmer’s market, a man came up to her and told her of a plan to put hearts on the bridge in February and that she was the one to “make it happen.” That man was Kevin Rookie. He just wanted to “make people smile” as Ellen put it. He created the hearts and they went to the city council for approval. They approved and put a plan into action.
They have a small committee to help. Ms. Clark pays attention to national holidays, news, and suggestions from others to determine the colors. They were the colors of Ukraine when the war between them and Russia began two years ago. Many times, they have been the colors of SUNY Oswego or the Buccaneers for their special events. This year, they were the colors of the 49ers (white) while the opposite side was for the Chiefs (red) with one distinct purple heart just for Taylor Swift. After the game, they were all lit up red. Ellen flashed them red for Valentine’s Day, just to add a little something different. They were spinning gold, purple and green for Mardi Gras, purple for National Caregiver’s Day, and simply blue for President’s Day.
Does the city have a switch for those lights somewhere nice and warm? Nope. Someone has to go up and down the bridge and stop in front of each heart with a remote to change them. That is dedication to making sure that all of us get to enjoy and try to guess what the lights mean every time they change.
Even though Ms. Clark determines the colors, she does have a committee- “The Hearts on the Bridge” committee. If you want to become more involved, you can contact Ellen Clark at Experience Oswego, (315) 704-8900. Thank you, Ellen Clark, Kevin Rookie, the rest of the committee, and the City of Oswego for the Lights on the Bridge. Truly, you have “made people smile” and continue to do so. For now, let’s see what awaits this last week of February’s Hearts on the Bridge.
