Holiday Lights History | Part 3
History of Holiday Lights in Decorah, Iowa.
Part 1: Starting Holiday Lights
Part 2: Campground Operations
Part 3: Special Features/Walk Through Night
Part 4: Past Events
Part 5: Leadership, Memorable Stories
Special Features
All of the special features make the drive through one big, magical experience! Of course, the displays are the highlight, but it’s the little things that really endear the event to our visitors.
Displays
Every night, visitors come from near and far to see the wonder of the holiday displays. These bigger than life depictions of Santa, elves, snowmen, and reindeer can range in size from 5 to 25 feet tall.
They fill the night with blinking lights and charming animations, capturing the wonder of the couples, friends, and family that travel through.
Every event of this type needs a feature display, and for Holiday Lights, it is the Tunnel of Lights. Consisting of eight rings, the lights are synchronized to light in order from first ring to last, making an exciting drive-through experience.
When new displays are added, the business of the new sponsor is considered. Custom designs are possible, like the Decorah Eagles theme.
Great thought goes into the placement of the displays. It really is important to know each display well and how it fits into the campground setting. The non-animated displays can act as “fillers” for inside loops of the campground. Animated displays need solid backgrounds to look their best. Care is also taken that displays don’t compete against each other, staggering them for best viewing.
As expected, animated displays cost more (see the section on animations for more information). Finding the right balance between non-animated and animated displays is part of the planning process.
Placement decisions start from a working map, and are moved around each year. Surprisingly, many visitors will remark that they think a display is new, when in fact, it has always been there. For the planners, it’s best to view the lighted displays in action. Displays are often moved around again, even before opening night.
Music in the Park
What is a holiday drive through light show without holiday music? This feature faced a few hurdles before it morphed into what it is today.
John Jenkins remembers trying many things to get this to happen. Music was first piped in through a stereo speaker, placed near the greeters. Handing out CDs to visitors to enjoy was one idea (which had to be retrieved by volunteers when the tour was completed). Another time, radio station KDEC offered a special Christmas session of music especially for Holiday Lights visitors.
Occasionally, Santa would bring his own radio, just to fill the quiet night with some holiday atmosphere. A three-disk player helped to extend the time, but it wasn’t ideal. The speakers had to be placed out the window of the Santa house (not an electronic-friendly move for what was considered an indoor system).
The event finally updated in 2017 to an FM transmitter, with tunes connected via a laptop. In 2023, Helping Services now subscribes to a seasonal online music service. This allows the playing of copyrighted music in public spaces, with a playlist that staff compile.
At this time, Holiday Lights does not feature synchronized music to animations. But who knows? That could be the next big evolution of this favorite northeast Iowa event!
Santa
Believe it or not, in the early years, Santa was scheduled every night of the event! At that time, Holiday Lights was open only during peak times, such as weekends and into the last two weeks before New Year’s Eve.
Each Santa helper has collected memorable experiences, and we wish we could share them all here. Most of them have not only volunteered at Holiday Lights, but in local communities throughout northeast Iowa.
These days, you can visit Santa Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings before Christmas, 5-7:30 pm (or later on busy weekend nights).
Santa House, Mailbox, & Sleigh
The first year, Santa was positioned on the far west of the campground, with no shelter. The hill that Highway 52 traveled on did offer some protection. Other spots were experimented with, finally settling on the east side near the Upper Iowa River. This location provided a bigger loop for Santa visitors.
For many years, Spahn & Rose Lumber Company of Decorah donated the use of a small, portable building for Santa. The structure needed to be delivered every November, and then picked up by them. In 2018, Helping Services purchased the building with a mutual agreement of shared use with Pulpit Rock Campground.
The structure, surrounded by cute holiday cut-outs (donated by Brad and Darcy Wicks) adds a festive touch. On colder nights, Santa can step in to warm up if traffic is slow.
Santa mailbox. After several years of children delivering wish lists into Santa’s hands, it was decided to make it official: we would get a Santa mailbox. Near the Santa house sets the mail receptacle for letters. It arrived for the 2020 season from an anonymous donor. ArtHaus director, Shannon Durbin, added a holiday-themed design to it.
Santa sleigh. Ben Krouse-Gagne found the Santa sleigh on Facebook Marketplace in Winona, Minnesota. The ad read:
| Antique 19th Century Portland Cutter Carriage Sleigh Antique 19th Century Portland cutter sleigh sled and carriage with locking doors, shafts and poles. Beautiful eagle heads on dash and various areas, rein rail, side rails, arm rests, side steps and tufted seat. |
She was a beauty, despite the faded paint and worn upholstery. The Holiday Lights team had to have it! The sleigh was soon bought and in place for the 2020 event. In the year of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was a welcome distraction, adding whimsy and fun.
In 2023, Michael Barry (spouse to former staff Lori Barry) used his automotive painting experience to breathe new life into the old sleigh. He chose a bright Christmas red color for the sled, painting the springs black and accenting the trim in gold. Mike also made the needed repairs to assure years of service to the Lights. In Lori’s words, “It is beautiful… I am in love with it and it will be a great addition to the display for Santa!”
Walk Through Night 2015-Present
For many years, visitors asked if they could walk through the lights. The Holiday Lights team loved the idea, but couldn’t figure out how to make it work. There was no sidewalk through the park. If a walk through night were to happen, the event would have to close to traffic.
Finally, it was decided a separate event would happen – the night before Thanksgiving. A committee was formed: Dominique Bockman, Kirstie Bower, Randy Schissel, and Helping Services’ staff Dennis (Oz) Osmundson, Jane Storlie, and Renee Matt.
DECO Products was interested in backing the event as the overall sponsor. In addition, DECO employees offered to volunteer extra help for the night.
The walk-through was promoted as a “sneak peak night”, open from 5-7:30 pm. The newspapers advertised “take this one-time chance to walk through the dazzling lights!” Radio ads cued in with the theme to “Pink Panther” (aka sneaky music) with the message “It’s the perfect time to capture a family Christmas photo next to your favorite display!“
WTN: The Food!
As owners of the popular T-Bock’s Bar & Grill, Mike and Dom Bockman had no problem dreaming big. Dominique envisioned visitors strolling through the park enjoying steamy soup and hot chocolate. She thought the addition of warm food, cookies, and holiday drinks would bring a special atmosphere to the night.
The first year things were kept simple, with just a couple of soups and hot chocolate. Kirstie Bower jumped in, rounding up donations of cookies.
The following year, Dominique was even more confident. She reached out to fellow restaurant owners and secured roasters of soup featuring everyone’s very best recipes. Dominique also solved the problem of extra help, by asking the owners to serve their specialties. Featuring local eateries was a big hit!
In later years, other specialty foods made an appearance, like Euphoria Coffee and ice cream by the Sugar Bowl.
Dominique was right, food made the event even more magical. Wide-eyed visitors were surprised to discover that it was free. Every year, guests arrive early to not miss out on the goodies – and happily drop in a donation to the event.
| Walk Through Night Magic, a Beloved Northeast Iowa Tradition The real secret to the event is that everyone wants to be a part of it. Finding volunteers has never been a challenge, even the night before Thanksgiving. The event quickly sets up, with everyone carrying out their jobs seamlessly. Visitors enjoy the night, looking forward to bumping into neighbors and old friends. Just as quickly, the event closes down, and visitors scurry off in anticipation of family celebrations the next day. The Walk Through Night has turned out to be a phenomenal, community-building celebration, growing larger every year. The event has doubled attendance each season, from 235 visitors in 2015 to 3,148 visitors in 2023. |
WTN: Special Features
In addition to food, other ideas contribute to the special night. Santa is invited to the event, his first appearance of the season. Photographers snap pictures of kids and families with the jolly elf.
The iconic Pokey Pete Train delights children (and their parents), thanks to the Decorah Lion’s Club. Sponsors have an opportunity to stand by their displays, greeting visitors.
Eventually, a live Nativity was added, thanks to the efforts of Jack Barloon and St. Benedict Catholic Church. Local high school and community choirs take shifts entertaining crowds with favorite holiday music.
Photo opportunities have been added, such as holiday props for kids. The committee continues to explore more ideas to make it a fun and relaxed night.
Gagne is seen walking under the Tunnel of Lights in the first scene.
WTN: Safety, Lighting, & Traffic Control
The shortage of parking has proved to be the biggest challenge of this event. Visitors have been encouraged to park at the soccer parking lot and Twin Springs parking lot. Through a partnership with EARL Transit, visitors are shuttled to the front gate, or can opt to walk.
As the event grew in size, better traffic control was urgently needed. In 2019, employees from Hall Roberts’ Son from Postville, Iowa (led by general manager Chris Hoffert, also a past HS board member) delivered an experienced team of traffic controllers. They help guests safely cross Pulpit Rock Road. With a safety first attitude, Chris and his team are the true superstars of the night!
Dark pathways were a serious concern. Portable light towers help increase lighting where needed (loaned to the event by local businesses).
Ben Krouse-Gagne worked with the City of Decorah Police to have a presence at the event. Fire Department/EMT park their safety mule vehicle with flashing lights at the front gate, warning drivers to slow down.
The last safety precaution had to do with the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. After consulting with the City of Decorah and Winneshiek County Public Health, it was decided that the Walk Through Night would not happen. Instead, the Holiday Lights team opened Holiday LIghts one night early, and handed out goodie bags in lieu of the WTN festivities.
The Walk Through Night has grown far beyond any expectations. It is the perfect kick-off to the drive through event!
Part 1: Starting Holiday Lights
Part 2: Campground Operations
Part 3: Special Features/Walk Through Night
Part 4: Past Events
Part 5: Leadership, Memorable Stories
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This history was compiled by Renee Matt with interviews with Dave Runyon, Linda Watson, Joe & Kathy Schwartzhoff, Dennis ”Oz” Osmundson, Larry Grimstad, Tim Mueller, Jack Barloon, Perry Novak, John & Llew Jenkins, Wanda Hemesath, Carson Eggland, and Jane Storlie.