Fraas Honored For Downtown Lighting Work

Larry Fraas has been instrumental in keeping Sidney's downtown area illuminated and inviting for residents and visitors alike, and has been honored by the Sidney City Council for his efforts. An idea that was presented at a Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce meeting in 1997 to add roof-top lighting became a reality by December of that year due to the efforts of Fraas.

Fraas was committed to making the project a reality, showing up before and after work seven days a week to ensure the project was completed and correct. The result was a lit-up downtown skyline in time for Christmas of that year. The lighting project was a continuing effort, requiring constant maintenance and expansion to other buildings outside the downtown area, like the Sidney Public Library. In 1999 when Sidney was hit by a damaging hailstorm, Fraas coordinated and led the effort to replace the damaged bulbs in the downtown area. For 16 years, Fraas made sure the bulbs and strings of lights were working and in good repair while expanding the lighting program to other buildings in Sidney. Fraas continued to add additional lighting and bulb strings, amounting to a total of 5,137 bulbs.

In 2022, a 10-person committee was formed to replace all of the bulbs and restore the downtown area to its original illumination. It was then realized the tremendous effort Fraas had put in over the years to the lighting project for the City of Sidney.

"Larry's efforts have enhanced the appearance of the City of Sidney for local residents and visitors alike, and his tireless work and dedication is unmatched," a proclamation in Fraas' honor reads.

Sidney Mayor Roger Gallaway also thanked Fraas for his work and dedication, saying, "It has been a project near and dear to many and we can't thank you enough."