Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion has successful season despite weather
After taking off 2024 to regroup and refresh, the Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion group made a return this past Holiday season. Despite constantly battling cold, windy, rainy, icy, and snowy conditions during set up and event nights, the revival still proved successful.
The weather delayed some of the set up until the season was already underway, Mother Nature also caused circuit breakers to trip quite often during the rainy night. It was frustrating for staff at times, but their dedication kept most displays lit each night.
Eleven Special Event Nights were held which saw over 1400 visitors enjoy the tractor pulled wagon rides. During those nights a total of 1700 cups of hot chocolate and apple cider were served (62 lbs. of hot chocolate mix and 29 gallons of apple cider). Eight hundred seventy-five (875) cups of popcorn were handed out.
“We’d like to thank all the groups who worked the concession stand and helped with the rides during these fun evenings,” said Shari Hittesdorf, event co-creator.
Ten businesses and organizations gave their time to the Adopt-A-Tree program in which they used their creativity to decorate the tree and ground area around it.
The event, which ran from Thanksgiving to January 3rd, saw over 10,000 vehicles drive through. That compares to approximately 15,000 in 2023 when weather was spectacular.
Some new items added to the park this season included a gift display in which visitors could walk inside, an over-sized “Sleepy Eye” chair, an arch at the special event night entrance and a sign-in booth for riders. The Memorial Tree display was also moved inside the shelter for easier access.
Also, the Sleepy FFA organization built a display with their logo to add to the park. If any group would like to do the same for the 2026 season, please contact Mike Suess (co-creator) mike@sleepyeyeholidaylights.org or Hittesdorf shari@sleepyeyeholidaylights.org.
The Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion board wants to thank all who contributed to the success of the event.
“There were so many businesses, organizations and individuals who gave their time and energy,” said Hittesdorf. “We appreciate every minute each person was able to help.”
“This season we attempted to track the volunteers and time they spent,” explained Hittesdorf. “We had 200 volunteers logging over 900 hours. We are aware there were many other volunteers and hours not recorded.”
Hittesdorf also expressed gratitude for the monetary and material donations. All contributions help with the continued maintenance and growth of the event.
The 11 businesses who sponsored the Special Event Nights deserve a special thank you including Sleepy Eye Auto Value, Divine Providence, Schroepfer Inc, Sleepy Eye Sportsman’s Club, Miller Sellner, Schweiss Meats, Sleepy Eye Medical Center, Stark Farmers Mutual Insurance, Nuvera, Sleepy Eye Brewing Company and Sleepy Eye Dairy Queen.
The Sleepy Eye Servicemen’s Club made the monetary donation for all the concessions served.
“Due to the lower turn out because of the weather, our donations were down a bit compared to other years,” said Hittesdorf. If anyone still wishes to contribute, they can visit our website (www.sleepyeyeholidaylights.org) for more information.”
Planning for next season is already underway. One goal is to fill board openings. If you have an interest in becoming a Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion Board member contact one of the current board members: Hittesdorf, Suess, Andy Pelzel, Cathy Fischer, Deb Reinarts, Katie Trebesch, Bob Schabert or Tiffany Hoffmann.
“Thanks to all who visited. We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2026,” concluded Hittesdorf.
