Christmas is less than a month away, but in the Sweetheart City, the countdown to another holiday is underway. Starting today, the Loveland Hearts program will begin taking orders, allowing locals to share personalized messages of love this Valentine’s Day.

Through the program, residents can customize red wooden hearts that will be displayed on city light posts throughout February to celebrate the sweetheart season. This cherished tradition dates back more than 40 years, with the Loveland Thompson Valley Rotary Club serving as its sponsor for at least 35 of them.

According to T.J. Julien, who coordinates the program for the Loveland Thompson Rotary Club, there are 400 hearts available this year, up from 350 in 2023. Once orders are completed, the hearts will be painted and the messages stenciled by students at Thompson Valley High School.

Depending on weather and work schedules, city crews will begin installing the hearts in mid- to late January. In addition to the usual locations, the Rotary has added Rocky Mountain Avenue in Centerra for 2025.

Costs for a heart this year are $70. Messages are limited to 25 characters or less, but symbols or foreign languages are acceptable.

Sales begin at midnight on Dec. 1 and will go until the hearts are sold out, which usually happens within a few hours, Julien said. Proceeds will go toward the Rotary Club’s charitable programming.

For more information about the Loveland Hearts program, visit LTVR.org

— Reporter-Herald