The Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals awarded its 2025 Feature-Focused Outdoor Lighting Award to Jimmy Kidd, CLVLT, COLD, of Tranquility Lighting Design in Owensboro, Kentucky, for his lighting work at the VFW Post 696 veterans memorial. The award was presented during Illuminate ‘25, AOLP’s annual conference and expo.
The award recognizes excellence in lighting design that enhances a specific outdoor feature. Kidd’s winning project transformed a previously underlit memorial site into a visually striking and emotionally resonant space along Owensboro’s downtown riverfront.
The updated design includes 31 fixtures—three per flagpole in a triangular layout—and linear wash lights on both sides of the monument to improve visibility and eliminate shadows. Wiring was concealed to preserve the site’s visual integrity.
Kidd, who is both a Certified Low Voltage Lighting Technician and Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer , described the project as both technically demanding and personally meaningful.
“I didn’t fully understand how significant the site was until I witnessed a group of veterans playing taps at sunset,” said Kidd. “That moment clarified the emotional importance of the memorial, and I knew the lighting had to honor that.”
The completed installation debuted during a Veterans Day ceremony, drawing community members, veterans, local media and youth organizations.
“It was a powerful experience to see the community engage with the space in a new way,” Kidd said. “Having that work recognized by AOLP is an honor.”
Kidd says he hopes to take on more public-space lighting projects in the future, especially those that bring renewed visibility to civic landmarks.
More information about AOLP’s awards and Illuminate ‘25 is available at www.aolponline.org.
