Sarnia council has thrown the Celebration of Lights a lifeline.
Council voted unanimously to give the event a $3,000 yearly grant until the end of this council term in 2022, to help offset city fees.
Councillor Dave Boushy acknowledged the group's struggles in recent years.
"I wouldn't want to see it disappear, it's good for the city and good for the people," said Boushy.
Councillor Brian White called the event "important" and "valuable to the community," adding that generations of people have now grown up with it.
"Quite frankly, I think I see a group of really tired people who have refused to give up," said White. "I want to acknowledge that and make this a bit of a call out to the community as well, much like we heard a couple of years ago, if this is going to be something that matters to the City of Sarnia and to the residents, then we should be hopeful that more people will step up and assist with the volunteer efforts and financial burden."
Last year's 34th annual event cost $14,500 to run.
Volunteer organizers told council Monday if assistance wasn't provided, they'd have to consider cancelling.
