Tales of a Naturalist, Musician, Firefighter, and Radio Host: Bentleyville Christmas Lights in Duluth, Minnesota

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Bentleyville Christmas Lights in Duluth, Minnesota

A few weeks ago, I met with my parents in Duluth, which is located half way between us. We had a nice dinner at the Grandma's restaurant in Canal Park, and walked through the Bentleyville Lights show.

I've been driving past the light show on Highway 35 for many years, but had never had the chance to walk through. It was definitely worth seeing this display up close, and I hope to make it a new tradition to meet up with family for this wonderful event.

If you go there, be sure to dress warm. The winds coming off of Lake Superior can be chilly. I walked out to my car after dinner, and was compelled by the wind to put on my insulated snow bibs over my other winter clothes.

The displays were a mixture of religious and secular, as well as themes of Duluth and northern Minnesota. Some of my favorite things were the tributes to those who serve our country as members of the military or as emergency responders.

Below are a pictures of characters from the original Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer film, and a Nativity Scene:

Is that the spirit of Burl Ives?

Abominable Snowman, Elves, and Reindeer

Nativity Scene

Between many of the displays, there were tunnels of lights of various colors. In the middle of everything, there was a giant Christmas light tree which was constantly changing color, sometimes with the beat of the music. Many of the displays also had moving objects in them. A took a short video of the Lift Bridge display with the Christmas tree in the background.

Tunnel of Lights

We got a bonus light show when a late-season ship went through the Duluth Canal. It was neat to hear the ship's horn echo off the hillsides and buildings, and see the spotlights on the ship beaming through the darkness. I could not see the name on the ship, but think it may have been one of the 1000 footers.