“We are in the process of reorganizing the set-up process with hopes of recruiting additional assistance. Even though the park will be dark this year, we continue to work on improvements and new attractions. The Holiday

Lights board is committed to coming back in 2025, bigger and better,” said Shari Hittesdorf.

“Anyone interested in taking on a task each season is asked to please let us know. Taking a year off was a difficult decision. We know the event is special to our community, becoming a family tradition for many,” she said.

Holiday Lights in Motion began as a joke.

Horse-drawn carriage rides were among the more popular special events at Holiday Lights in Motion.

“Years ago, Mike (Suess) put in synchronized lights with music in his front yard. We joked that it would be really cool to do it in a public place for the community. The more we joked, the more we thought it would be cool. We started doing it in the park and just kept the ball rolling,” said Hittesdorf.

She and Suess said donations and volunteer help from businesses, organizations and individuals were important to keep the light show going in the big park full of big trees by Sleepy Eye Lake.

Five holiday light displays donated by Bob Schabert of Courtland were set up in the park in 2014.

More light displays were added in 2015 including a 33-foot tall “dancing” Christmas tree, decorated cabins,a Santa ski slope from Schabert, trolley rides and North Pole mailbox for kids to send letters to Santa Claus.

Animated lights, a lighted vehicle path and community concession stand were added in 2016.

A half million energy-efficient LED lights are now part of the light and music show featured from 5-10 p.m. nightly from Thanksgiving Night to New Year’s Night in Sportsman’s Park.

The 2017 light show included 150,000 lights on 70 trees, an illuminated entrance and lighted American flag.

In 2018, hayrides were added along with 200,000 lights on 85 trees in the park.

Cutout displays for fun photos, a new red wagon for ride nights and 250,000 lights on 90 trees were part of the 2019 light show.

A new park shelter, more lit entrance trees and 100 lighted trees were part of the 2020 show.

A handicap accessible wagon, 110,000 more lights and 110 trees were lit in 2021.

A special needs ride night and a main shelter mural were added in 2022.

In 2023, the show included 500,000 lights and 110 trees including 11 trees “adopted” by businesses and organizations.

Donation funding is sought for supplies including lights for future displays. More labor from organizations and individuals is needed to help build, assemble and dismantle displays each season and raise funds at special events. Committee members are needed to help plan, organizing, build displays and raise money.

The possibilities are endless, but more support is needed to keep the long-term project going. Donations are tax-deductible.

Visit www.sleepyeyeholidaylights.org and follow the organization on Facebook.