Nov. 15, 2019

A Garretson organization hopes to use a creative event to build holiday spirit, showcase the community and raise money for a picnic shelter at Split Rock Park.

Grow Garretson teamed up with the town’s parks advisory committee and recruited individuals and businesses to claim a campsite or area at the park and decorate it for Light the Park.

People will be invited to drive through the park and see the lights on Thanksgiving and then every Friday and Saturday night through Dec. 28. The lights will be on from 5 to 10 p.m. Freewill donations will be collected.

Santa Claus will be at the park from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 handing out treats after the town’s Parade of Lights.

Efforts to re-create nostalgic Christmas scenes have been building in the community, said Anna Uhl, city finance officer. There will be several streets in town with holiday themes this year too.

The community’s Hometown Christmas celebration will be Dec. 14.

“We want to bring that true hometown Christmas, fuzzy feeling back, and we’d like others to experience that with us,” Uhl said. “Come see what Garretson has to offer, not just for shopping but for holiday fun that’s geared toward family.”