Final Weekend for Inaugural St. Cloud Lights Festival at Spalt Park

Originally published November 30th, 2023

Updated December 8th, 2023

(KNSI) — This weekend marks the last for the inaugural St. Cloud Lights Festival at Spalt Park.

Students, families, and officials at the St. Cloud Christian School put up $18,000 worth of decorations to transform the park into a wintery wonderland. Interim Development Director Bill Corcoran joked with KNSI News about what the volunteers learned. “I’m going to say right now I’m watching a teenager realize that deer is not as hardy as he thought it was.

Corcoran turned serious, adding that some valuable lessons are being taught. “They’re learning how to work together and how to follow instructions, and just getting out of the classroom and really supporting their school.”

The display is open through December 10th. Tickets are only $5. All proceeds go to the renovation campaign to turn Spalt Park into the school’s designated recess area.

They will be tearing out the wading pool, which has sat idle now for years. A new playground will be installed as well. The campaign goal is $84,000. When completed, the school and the City of St. Cloud would enter into an agreement that would give the school greater control over the park.

Corcoran says you will quickly realize there is much more to the St. Cloud Lights Festival than just bulbs. “We are going to tell the Christmas story in lights, right? Every half an hour, we’re going to read the Christmas story, because that is being lost more and more these days. So, we’re going to read that story and then as you walk through the park, you’ll come through, there’s a section of angels. There’s going to be a section of Wise Men. There’s going to be choir singing. We’ll have some live animals here too, Wonky the Donkey and friends.”

Friday, December 8th, will feature choirs and a living nativity. There will also be a tour of the gingerbread homes. Saturday, December 9th, is a costume contest, plus choirs and a living nativity. On the closing night, Sunday, December 10th, Santa will wander through the park saying hi.

It’s open from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. each night.

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