Sartell COUNTRY Lights Festival Bounces Back After Vandalism

(KNSI) – What started as vandalism at the 2023 Sartell COUNTRY Lights Festival looks to wrap up with a storybook ending.

Organizer Scott Schmitz says everything still points to an opening night on Friday, November 24th. “We’re actually probably back on track and maybe a little bit ahead of schedule, so it’s gone really well. Just the support has been amazing, and we’ll take a negative here and hopefully turn it into a positive and make the festival even better this year.”

The sequence of events is right out of a Dr. Seuss book. On Thursday, November 2nd, strands for about 90% of the lighted trees that had already been assembled to be a part of this year’s display were maliciously cut. No suspect has been identified so far.

And yet, residents came together like in Whoville to ensure the spirit of the season remains as bright as ever. Businesses have also volunteered to help replace what was lost.

Schmitz says the display will be bigger than ever. “One of our goals was to add a lot of height. With a donation of a lift, we were able to get higher than we’ve gotten in the past, and these pre-manufactured stars, we got way up high. It’ll be a good display this year.”

This is the seventh year of the Sartell COUNTRY Lights Festival. It is meant to be central Minnesota’s version of Bentleyville in Duluth, just on a slightly smaller scale. Around 20,000 people visit Lake Francis each year to see it.

The lights will shine every night from November 24th until Christmas, but Fridays and Saturdays have some extras thrown in. Kids can ride the barrel train, and there will be hot chocolate available. The fire department has a night where they help make s’mores for guests. A senior night is also planned.

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