Holiday Lights In The Park Runs Through New Year’s

While Christmas may be over, it doesn’t mean you can still get out and enjoy the season.

The IBEW’s Holiday Lights in the Park—in partnership with of Woodbury—continues through New Year’s Day.

The event is held at Lake Phalen in St. Paul.

“This year’s light display has drawn more than 10,000 vehicles and 40,000 visitors since its opening on Nov. 22, it’s our largest tour yet,” Lisa Engh, IBEW Holiday Lights co-chair, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have visitors from across Minnesota stop by and visit the life-size Christmas figures and magnificent displays while contributing to some of Minnesota’s home charities. IBEW is committed to giving back to the community and what better way to raise funds than by providing Christmas cheer for families during the holiday season.”

This is the fourth annual Holiday Lights in the Park—a large outdoor lights display—runs for 40 days and nights. IBEW presents Holiday Lights in the Park in partnership with Woodbury's King of Kings Lutheran Church.

Along with the light displays, IBEW’s annual event includes musical components, such as Holiday Lights Vol. 3. Comprised of some of Minnesota’s finest musical artists, , this holiday soundtrack has sold more than 3,000 copies to date.

IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park relies on its hundreds of volunteers to set up the lighted displays, run the nightly light show and provide the musical soundtrack and CD for the annual holiday event.

“We are so thankful for the volunteers who make the show happen,” Engh said. “Thanks to the volunteers, we can continue to provide family-friendly entertainment at affordable prices, while giving back to the charities that work tirelessly throughout the Twin Cities.”

Entrants to the park are asked to pay a vehicle entrance fee of $8 on Sunday through Thursday, and $10 on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.

For more information about Holiday Lights in the Park, or its charity recipients, visit www.lightsinthepark.org. Holiday Lights in the Park is located at 1615 Phalen Drive E. in St. Paul.

All net proceeds of the Holiday Lights project will benefit the following Twin Cities charities:

Second Harvest Heartland

Second Harvest Heartland is the Upper Midwest’s largest hunger-relief organization, with a mission of ending hunger through community partnerships. A record 51 million pounds of grocery producers were distributed in 2010 to hungry seniors, families and children through nearly 1,000 non-profit member agencies and programs, including food shelves, soup kitchens, shelters, senior centers, faith-based organizations and children’s after-school programs serving 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. For each $50 donated, Second Harvest Heartland distributes more than 180 meals to those in need. For more information, visit www.2harvest.com or call 651-484-5117.

Union Gospel Mission

Union Gospel Mission works to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual and educational needs of the economically disadvantaged men, women and children of the Twin Cities, though a variety of life-changing programs and services.

Saint Paul Parks Conservancy

Saint Paul Parks Conservancy secures resources to enhance parks and recreational opportunities throughout Saint Paul.

UnderConstruction

UnderConstruction teaches youth what it takes to be an employable worker by introducing high school students to the construction trades to explore the possibilities of a construction career.

About Holiday Lights

IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park was developed with the sole purpose of creating fun and affordable holiday events that raise funds to help meet basic life needs for children and adults in the Twin Cities metro area.

Proceeds of the CD and Holiday Lights events will be distributed to Second Harvest Heartland, Union Gospel Mission, Saint Paul Parks Conservancy and UnderConstruction.