by Dennis Dalman
Thanks to gung-ho volunteers and generous donations, the seventh annual Sartell Country Lights Festival will proceed as planned all through December with “Santa Night” set for Dec. 1.
The event is free and open to all.
Some weeks back, a vandal or vandals snipped light strands on 85 artificial trees on the grounds of the Sartell Community Center by Lake Francis. Undeterred by the senseless vandalism, organizers and volunteers immediately set out to undo the damage. The cost of the light strand replacements was about $1,500.
And now, the winter wonderland fun is about to begin. Every evening in December, the lights will be turned on at dusk until dawn. People can park at the community center’s parking lot. The following is a festival lineup of events:
Friday, Dec. 1: Santa Night at the community center. 5:30-7 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies, 5-7 p.m.
Kiddie mini-train rides every Friday and Saturday evening (weather permitting) from 5:30-7 p.m. Also hot chocolate and cookies, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2: Hot chocolate and cookies, 5-7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 8: S’mores with members of the Sartell Fire Department, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 9: Hot chocolate and cookies, 5-7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 13: Senior Night. Take a ride in a vehicle around the park. 5-7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 15: Hot-Dog Night with hot chocolate and cookies, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 16: Hot chocolate and cookies, 5-7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 22: Jammie (pajamas) Night with movies and crafts inside the community center, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 23: Hot chocolate and cookies, 5-7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve fireworks display starts at 7 p.m.
The Country Lights Festival is made possible by a partnership among the City of Sartell and the following sponsors: BlueLine Sports Bar & Grill; CentraCare Chateau Waters; CH Robinson; Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing; Country Financial; Gilleland; Granite Logistics; Great River Rotary; Magnifi Financial; Minnesota Lighting, Fireplace & Flooring; Premier Real Estate Services; and St. Cloud Financial Credit Union.
Other sponsors are Alliance Building Corps, Coborn’s, Farm-Rite Equipment Inc., House of Pizza, Living Hope Homes, Mies Outland and St. Cloud Area Association of Realtors.
In a photo taken at a previous Festival of Lights, Sartell firefighters prepare S’mores for guests.
This softly-glowing kiddie train will be featured again every weekend evening at the Sartell Country Festival of Lights.
