Chamber makes plans for lighted Christmas

A Christmas lighted train engine will join the 2021 community holiday plans, which kick off with fireworks Nov. 28 in Luverne City Park.
Ellis and Eastern Railroad will transport Santa and Mrs. Claus through several communities on Sunday, Nov. 28, ending in Luverne in time for the grand lighting of decorated city park.
“We really want this to be special for kids and the community,” said Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere.
She’s encouraging individuals, businesses and organizations to start planning now to be part of the effort.
“Anyone is welcome to be part of the fun,” Lanphere said.
The city park will be open on Nov. 1 for people to start putting up displays. Security cameras will be in place to deter vandalism, or at least record activity for restitution.
All displays should be in place and ready to turn on by Nov. 26.
“If everyone does a little bit, we can have every tree and bush decorated in the park,” she said. “We’re doing everything we can do to make it extra festive.”
The theme this year is trains, along the lines of the “Polar Express” children’s story.
The Palace Theatre will show the popular computer animated “Polar Express” movie that weekend, and community members are encouraged to decorate lighted displays in the park under the theme of trains.
On the night of Nov. 28, the park will open at 6 p.m. to let cars into the park to watch the fireworks, which will begin at 7 p.m.
“We’re hoping we can get 100 cars in there. The south berm is the greatest place to see the fireworks,” Lanphere said.
Each car will be charged $10 to enter, and children will receive a treat and locomotive bell.
When Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at the park, people in cars will be instructed to roll down their windows and ring their bells.
“They’ll be told that if Santa hears the bells, the park will light up,” Lanphere said.
“When the lights come on, those cars inside the park will get to circle the displays first, and then we’ll open up the park to everyone.”
Lanphere said the lighted park evening is a solid plan, regardless of pandemic shifts.
“This will totally be a fun thing to experience for families,” she said.
“It’s been another trying year for families and individuals, and if the pandemic flares up again, we’ll be safe. Everyone will be in their cars with their own families.”
 
Timeline:
On Nov. 1 the park will open for decorating to start.
On Nov. 26 decorating will be done with all displays ready to be plugged in.
On Nov. 28 the community will celebrate the holiday kickoff at the park.
•At 5 p.m. the train will arrive with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the holiday-decorated Luverne Depot on Freeman Street.
•From 5 to 6:30 p.m.  Santa and Mrs. Claus will pose for photos with children at the depot, where people can tour the station.
•At 6 p.m. the park will be open for cars to enter for viewing the fireworks.
•At 6:30 p.m. the train will return Santa and Mrs. Claus to the city park for fireworks.
•7 p.m. – Fireworks start
•After fireworks are over, children will be instructed to ring their bells and the park displays will light up simultaneously.
To reserve a space at the park to decorate a holiday display, call the Chamber, 507-283-4061.
Lanphere said participants will get all the information they need about electrical hookups and other details when they sign up.