HURON — The bandshell in Campbell Park will be lit tonight, in a special event conducted across the nation on the first Friday in October.

The program will begin at 6 p.m. in the park and the public is invited to attend. Catering by Lopez Family Catering and Hungry Dog is available at the event.

It’s called the “Lights on Afterschool” program and every year each state has a fall conference that discusses childcare issues on a statewide level. This year, Huron was chosen to host the state conference by the South Dakota School Age Care Alliance (SoDakSACA). Each year, a significant fixture in the host community is lit up, to show that that community is lit for Lights on Afterschool. The iconic Campbell Park bandshell was chosen for this year’s illumination.

Lights on Afterschool began in October of 2000, with nationwide celebrations in more than 1,200 communities.

That number is expected to exceed 8,000 rallies this year, dedicated to ensuring that the estimated 7.6 million children alone and unsupervised in the nation are safe and have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs.

Huron City Commissioner Bryan Smith will welcome the attendees and will share the search that began with the Huron Rising 2.0 meeting’s determination that afterschool childcare was something needed in Huron. The actions that led to the opening of the Little Blossoms Childcare will be touched upon during a special “What a Community can Accomplish During a Childcare Crisis,” discussion, emceed by Desmond Keller, director of the Rapid City Area Schools 21st Century Program with Black Hills Special Services.