Tour of lights kicks off Saturday

Everyone will experience the magic of nearly 3 million lights illuminating Bayfront Festival Park on the shore of Lake Superior during the Bentleyville Tour of Lights.

The largest holiday light show in the Midwest comes to life every evening starting Saturday and running through Dec. 26.

Bentleyville will be open 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. Admission is free.

Highlighting the 2011 Bentleyville Tour of Lights is an 8-foot wide star placed at the top of the twelve story tall steel Christmas tree in the center of Bayfront Festival Park. Laden with over 60,000 sparkling LED lights the 120 ft. giant tree will be shining brightly in the crisp evening sky. Synchronized to music, this LED trimmed Christmas tree will dance with images to holiday tunes. Also new this year is the kids “Dino Land” display, lighted tunnels extending all around the park and a new home for Santa.

Visitors will also be greeted by the spectacular Bentleyville castle which stands 24 feet high and 78 feet long and the Cookie House where visitors are welcome to complimentary hot chocolate, coffee and cookies as they stroll through the park. A dazzling lighted tunnel leads you to Santa, 15 fire pits for roasting marshmallows and the Polar Popcorn Hut. Everyone will be amazed at the local displays of the Aerial Lift Bridge, Tall Ships®, a replicate of a thousand foot ore boat and Enger Tower.

Bentleyville Tour of Lights is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization. The community mission of this event is to raise nonperishable food items and new unwrapped toys for families in need. Bentleyville Tour of Lights is an official drop off site for the Salvation Army.

For more Bentleyville Tour of Lights information: www.bentleyvilleusa.org

Tags: community, food, family, christmas