New Winter Light Display to be Illuminated Tuesday

(KNSI) — A new winter lighting display will illuminate St. Cloud’s East Side starting this week.

A group of business owners working on developing St. Cloud’s East St. Germain Street Corridor came up with the idea for an upgraded glow. They used funds remaining from this year’s Festi-Fall, and the city, mayor’s office, and local companies also pitched in to fund the project.

Iron Street Distillery and Harvester Square co-owner Julie Johnson was among those promoting the upgrade. “We thought this would be a great project to replace our Christmas lights. Something light and bright to really brighten up the east side, because it has some dark sections, and we really wanted to just change the image and the outlook. And that’s really what our goal was.”

The lights are being installed on roughly two dozen light poles along East St. Germain Street between Veterans Bridge and Lincoln Avenue. Johnson describes what they’ll look like. “They are six feet across. They’re big snowflakes and stars. So they’re a permanent display. They’ll be lit most of the winter, because that’s why we went with a non-religious theme, and because it is government property.”

Mayor Dave Kleis will be on hand to help flip the switch on Tuesday at 4:00. The public is invited to meet at the distillery and walk to the ceremony. Afterward, there will be post lighting fun at Iron Street Distillery with cocoa, cookies, coffee and cocktails.

Decorations, including lights and winter planters, have also recently gone up in the West St. Germain corridor.

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