Bentleyville Tour of Lights Weekend Excitement Planned

“Elfis” Performance Friday and Saturday

Bayfront Skating Rink Now Open

Only 7 Days to Visit Santa

Make you plans now to visit the Bentleyville Tour of Lights display at Bayfront Festival Park this weekend.

The weekend will be one of the most exciting of the Bentleyville Tour of Lights. The weekend starts out with the popular “Elfis” (half elf and half Elvis singer) who will be performing at the Bentleyville main stage on Friday, December 18^th and Saturday, December 19^th starting at 6:00 PM. You don’t want to miss this truly spectacular performance of your favorite holiday tunes.

Everyone is invited to bring their skates to Bentleyville and enjoy the newly opened Bayfront Park skating rink. Skating hours this weekend are Friday 4:00-8:00 PM, Saturday 1:00-8:00 PM and Sunday 1:00-5:00 PM. Also available to all skaters is the Family Center’s which is equipped with large fireplace which will warm you up from the cold.

Children wanting to see Santa should make their way to Bentleyville over the next 7 days. As we all know Santa will be leaving for the North Pole late December 23^rd in order to load up his sleigh with presents for all children. Santa visits begin at 5:00 PM daily.

Please remember to think of those in need during this holiday season. Bentleyville Tour of Lights is an official Salvation Army drop off site. Bring your non-perishable food items and new unwrapped toys to Bentleyville. Donations will be accepted until the last day of Bentleyville, which will be January 2.

Bentleyville Tour of Lights, which is one of the largest lighting displays in the state of Minnesota runs from 5:00-10:00 PM daily free of charge. Visitors will 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 500 foot lighted tunnel leads you to Santa, live outdoor entertainment, 15 fire pits for roasting marshmallows and the Polar Popcorn Hut. Everyone will be amazed at the local displays of the Aerial Lift Bridget, a replicate of a thousand foot ore boat and the famous Enger Tower.

Bentleyville Tour of Lights is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization. The community mission of this event is to raise non-perishable food items and new unwrapped toys for families in need.

For more Bentleyville Tour of Lights information go to www.bentleyvilleusa.org

For further information contact: Nathan Bentley, Bentleyville Tour of Lights (218) 740-3536; Mayor Don Ness at (218) 730-5320; Amy Norris, Public Information Coordinator at (218) 730-4312; Kristi Stokes, Greater Downtown Council at (218) 727-8549 or Gene Shaw, Visit Duluth at (218) 625-8106.