All kids who visit Santa at Kiwanis Holiday Lights this year will be presented with a free, custom-created coloring book. The book tells the story of Kiwanis Holiday Lights and includes scenes from the event’s set-up and tear-down phases as well as pages showing popular displays, some of which include the center tree, driving tunnel, parade floats and live reindeer. The book also includes a word-find activity.
“We thought families would enjoy remembering their experience at Kiwanis Holiday Lights by bringing home a coloring book that also told the story of the event–from set-up to tear-down,” said Shannon Gullickson, Marketing Co-Chair. “We are also fortunate to have worked with local caricature artist Casey Christensen,” said Gullickson. “I gave him some ideas and pictures to work from and he created some amazing designs and characters — including the ‘Sibley Park Squirrel,’ which can be found hiding on each page.” (See attached photos). Books are available to all kids who visit Santa while supplies last. Santa is available in his workshop for free visits Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 5-9 pm through December 23. Visitors are welcome to take photos of their children with Santa (there is no professional photographer at the event.)
The sixth Annual Kiwanis Holiday Lights will be held through December 31, 2017 in Mankato’s Sibley Park. Hours of operation are Sunday-Thursday, 5 – 9 p.m., Friday & Saturday, 5-10 p.m.
Kiwanis Holiday Lights is presented by the Mankato Area Foundation and CHS. The event is free and open to the public, however cash donations will be collected to support the event and its nonprofit volunteers, as well as non-perishable items for the 16 area food shelves that will be participating during the event. Guests can drive or walk through the lights display, and warming houses and concessions will be available each evening. More information and a nightly calendar of events can be found at www.kiwanisholidaylights.com.