There will finally be light at the Pitman High School football and soccer field and the all-weather track for the first time as the community will come together for an official lighting ceremony on Wednesday.

This past week, the installation of the campus’ stadium lights was completed. The lights and their installation was paid for by the ​​Powering Our Communities grant from the Turlock Irrigation District worth $56,300. The funds were unanimously accepted by the Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees back in June.

Students, parents, alumni and community members are invited to attend Wednesday’s lighting ceremony. Those interested in attending are encouraged to show up after 5:30 p.m., with the lighting taking place immediately after sunset.

The Kiwanis of Greater Turlock will be barbecuing hamburgers and hot dogs for those in attendance. Pitman principal Angela Freeman will speak ahead of the lighting. The light switch will then be flipped by Pitman athletic director Dustin Curtiss.

After the ceremony, the Pride football team will continue their regularly scheduled practice. Nevertheless, students and community members are invited to use the track or hang out around the field under the lights.

“This is a big deal and should be treated like one,” said Mike Staack, president of Kiwanis of Greater Turlock and the Pitman Development Foundation. “We want the whole community to come out because they’ll be the ones that’ll use the facilities, not just Pitman athletes.”