Sartell firefighters prepared s’mores over an open fire for Dec. 7 visitors to the Country Lights Festival. Donations totaled $300 and the fire department will use the money to help families in need. The check was presented to the fire department on Dec. 11.
A visit from Santa and a variety of games attracted visitors to the annual light display around Lake Francis on Dec. 8. The display, which includes 75,000-100,000 lights, continues through December.
Additions this year include two large igloos, eight 20-foot trees, and a 20- by 20-foot Warming Lodge that organizers hope will make everyone feel at home when they step inside to enjoy the warmth and ambiance. Bonfires around the trail give visitors a place to enjoy hot chocolate.
Special events include the following:
• Hot dogs will be served Friday, Dec. 14
• Horse-drawn trolley rides will be given Saturday, Dec. 15, around the lighted path, starting at the entrance and dropping off at the new Warming Lodge,
• Senior Night Thursday, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20,
• Reindeer and Santa night, 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21.
All events are 5-7 p.m. on weekends and include hot chocolate and cookies. The Girl Scouts donated more than 30,000 cookies for the events.
The light displays will be on more than 30 acres at Lake Francis Park. Lights will turn on when the city of Sartell’s street lights turn on at dusk and stay on until dawn every day of the week.
Lighted arches greet visitors to the Country Light Festival in Sartell on Dec. 8.
Visitors stopped to inspect one of the games around the Country Lights Festival path on Dec. 8.
A check for $300 collected at the Country Lights Festival was presented to the Sartell Fire Department. (From left) Tim Elness, Theresa Ardvison, Rob Johnson, Bill Corcoran, David Hengel and Scott Schmitz.
