Holiday Lights in Motion in Sleepy Eye

Holiday Lights in Motion Season Six Wrap Up

Our sixth season featured approximately 90 lighted trees and 250,000 lights. We unveiled our snow globe display and photo taking cut outs. A new Hay Wagon style wagon was built which allowed us to offer more ride nights with riders enjoying a more enclosed feature to help combat the cold weather.

We also had the use of Lowell Heiderscheidt’s Hay Wagon which meant minimal wait time for most of our guests wanting rides. We had two nights in which the Horse & Carriage Ride was also offered. Over 1700 people enjoyed rides during the 7 nights they were offered.

“The rides were made possible because of the generosity of our Ride Night Sponsors” (Schroepfer Inc., Lake Villa & Divine Providence, Kibble Equipment, Miller Sellner, Heiderscheidt Aerial, Sleepy Eye Auto Value, Sleepy Eye Medical Center, Schweiss Meats, C&S Heating and Air Conditioning)

The Sleepy Eye Servicemen’s Club again sponsored the free concessions which were offered to all guests on our Special Event Nights. Seven different non-profit groups worked the concession stand on these nights and benefited from the Free Will offerings.

We saw 11,400 vehicle drive thru the park during the 37 days it was open. (That compares to 11,700 last year but that season ran 40 nights) We feel there was, however, much greater traffic this season as many parked in the parking lot and enjoyed the walk thru experience including getting pictures taken by the #OnlyinMN sign which was in the park during the month of December.

“The #OnlyinMN sign was a huge draw. We estimate hundreds, maybe even thousands, of photos were taken next to the sign by people from all over the state. Families were constantly waiting for their turn to pose during event nights. Even during the many time periods in which we were doing maintenance work at the park, there were people huddled around the sign snapping photos.”

“On our website we have displayed what our dream was from the day we decided to go forward with this project. Mike and I both agree, not only have we obtained this goal, but it has far exceeded our wildest dreams.”

We believe this project will grow into a tradition in which local folks as well as people from around the region will come to visit. A place for families to gather during the holiday season. The possibilities are endless….but we need community support to make our long term dream become a reality.

“We are so grateful to all who played a role this past year…whether you helped with the fundraisers, set up, event nights, take down, donated materials or money…the collaboration of all made for another amazing season!”

Holiday Lights in Motion Organizers

So Grateful

In January, 2019, we started New Ulm’s Laundry Love, part of a national organization. We are at the Maytag Laundromat the 4th Tuesday of each month, supplying the quarters for anyone who needs the help.

We are amazed at how New Ulm has embraced this project. We are funded by local grants, businesses, churches and individuals. We provide quarters, detergent, laundry bags and snacks. In December an anonymous giver left socks and gloves, each pair tied with a ribbon!

Our program is growing from helping 16 people last January to helping 37 in December. On one of our busiest Tuesdays we helped 67 people and used $474.00 in quarters. We are proud to be part of all the needed services New Ulm provides.

Thank You New Ulm!!

The volunteers of

Laundry Love and the United Church of Christ