The City of Casper is scaling back its holiday traditions this year. Officials say the annual lighting ceremony at Healing Park on Conwell won’t take place, citing higher costs tied to recent property tax relief measures.

The ceremony has become a favorite event during Casper’s holiday season, featuring carolers, hot cocoa, and speeches from community leaders. The park itself has been lit for the holidays since the 1990s, when Wyoming Medical Center first sponsored the display. Banner Health has not co-sponsored the event in recent years.

But after lawmakers passed property tax relief earlier this year, the city eliminated three seasonal positions in the Parks Division.

Casper will also reduce the number of illuminated trees by more than half. Last year, 67 trees were wrapped in lights;

See Full Page