Marino in good health as setup for Festival of Lights continues

As Mr. Marino says the show must go on. And that's exactly what happened as volunteers set up for this year's festival of lights.

Volunteer Julie Hendrickson speaks to Marino over the phone, "ok we got the snowmen up, we got the Santa Claus up, and we got everything put out in place."

Marino was released from the hospital Friday afternoon.

Marino says, "I feel good. The good lord has given me a little extra time I'm going to take advantage of it. And again thank you to those for their prayers and their concerns. I really appreciate it."

A heart attack wasn't going to stop Joe from making sure displays were set up on time.

Volunteers were still hard at work in Sinnissippi Park.

Volunteer Kevin Giannopoulos explains "it's just tough with the bigger ones because they're really, really heavy. Getting the screws to sit right on the stakes and all that it's, it gets tough but it's worth it in the end definitely."

Some of the displays take weeks to set up, but Hendrickson, who has volunteered the past eight years, says it's well worth it for the holiday family event.

Hendrickson says "the kids just their eyes light up. They're just all excited. I know when I bring small children I'll put them in the front seat so they can see better and they just smile big grins."

It's those smiles that have helped the event grow every year.

Marino gives a friendly reminder "take part don't miss it. It's become a family tradition."

The Holiday Festival of Lights kicks off on Thanksgiving. For more information or to submit an application visit http://rockfordfireandice.com