Holiday spirit to be on display in downtown Laurel
LAUREL — Laurel’s Night of Lights will keep some old traditions alive while sprinkling in some new ones.
The annual Night of Lights is set for 5-8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, with Laurel’s Main Street open for business.
Core activities that residents have come to know and love will remain the same, said Max Rasmussen, co-chair of the Laurel Chamber of Commerce.
Santa will be back in Laurel — a holiday tradition that was missed last year.
After skipping an in-person greeting last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, he’ll be listening to children’s wish lists at Laurel Floral as part of the Night of Lights event. Children can also have their pictures taken with Santa, organized by Shepherd’s Care. Letters to Santa can be dropped off at Santa’s mailbox located west of Laurel’s Hometown Market.
Businesses located on Main Street as well as Highway 20 will be taking part in a decorating contest and continue to help with the annual word scramble where residents collect a letter at participating businesses.
“People participating in the word scramble have until 8 a.m. the following day to decipher the message and turn it in,” Rasmussen said, with finished scrambles turned in at Santa’s mailbox.
Those wanting to take in the residential Christmas lights can also vote for their favorite holiday display by picking up a voting ballot for the residential lighting contest. The ballot and map of homes participating is available at the city office or through the city’s Facebook page. Completed entries can be dropped at Santa’s mailbox.
The lighting of the tree is a little different this year as it will be lit prior to the Night of Lights. The tree has been moved to the lot west of Laurel’s Hometown Market and will be lit at 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 6.
The punch card drawing will also not take place in conjunction with the Night of Lights this year. Businesses will continue punching cards through Thursday, Dec. 16, to allow customers more time to complete holiday shopping. Winners will be drawn at 7 p.m. Dec. 16. Punch card collection boxes are set at Laurel Ace Hardware, Cubby’s, Main Street Apothecary, Missa Sue’s and Laurel’s Hometown Market.
Activities this year include an Elf Hunt. Similar to the Chamber’s Golden Easter Egg Hunt, hints will be posted about the location of the elf. Whoever finds the elf should turn it into Jeremy Christiansen at 402-256-3133 option 4, to receive Chamber bucks.
The Presbyterian Church will be hosting a soup supper at the city auditorium during the Night of Lights event.
“With the soup supper, there will also be vendors in the city auditorium for people to go through,” said Rachel Steffen, Chamber co-chairman.
