Cold Weather Can't Dim the Holiday Spirit at the Twin Cities' Largest Nightly Holiday Attraction

ST. PAUL, MINN. – December 11, 2013 – While frigid temperatures have made it difficult to be outdoors, one local holiday tradition was tailor-made for the cold. Visitors to Holiday Lights in the Park, at St. Paul’s Phalen Park can take in the more than 60 displays all from the warm confines of their vehicle.

Holiday Lights, produced jointly by The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and King of Kings Lutheran Church of Woodbury will illuminate Phalen Park nightly until January 1.

“While other holiday events and traditions have to be cancelled due to the cold, we actually thrive in the cold. Visitors can stay in their warm cars, maybe enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate and see this unique display,” said Lisa Engh, Co-Chair of Holiday Lights in the Park. “In fact, many visitors have commented that the cold temperatures actually make the lights twinkle and seem more vibrant. Minnesotans are hearty people, but in these type of conditions, our event is the perfect place for families and for those who are significantly impacted by the cold like very young children and senior citizens.”

IBEW Holiday Lights was developed with the sole purpose of creating a fun and affordable holiday event that raises funds to help meet basic life needs of children and adults in the Twin Cities metro area. All of the net proceeds from the Holiday Lights event will be distributed to local nonprofit organizations including Second Harvest Heartland, Union Gospel Mission, Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, the Saint Paul Police Foundation, and UnderConstruction. To date, more than $250,000 has been generated to support these organizations.

“Cold temperatures at this time of year make you really think about how others are surviving, especially those without enough to eat or a roof over their head,” said Engh. “Coming out to the park and seeing this display will not only let you enjoy a holiday tradition without the cold weather, but it will also warm your heart to know you are helping us make a difference in people’s lives.”

“Holiday Lights Vol. 5” is available at all Kowalski’s stores for only $10 while supplies last. As an added bonus, the CD will include a “Free Pass” to IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park, a $10 value. CDs will also be available nightly at the IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park event for $5 in addition to normal admission ($8/car on weeknights, $10/car on weekends, running nightly from November 26 to New Year’s Day).

About Holiday Lights:

IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park was developed in association with King of Kings Lutheran Church of Woodbury with the sole purpose of creating fun and affordable holiday events that raise funds to help meet basic life needs for children and adults in the Twin Cities metro area. All of the net proceeds of the CD and Holiday Lights events will be distributed to Second Harvest Heartland, Union Gospel Mission, the Saint Paul Police Foundation, Saint Paul Parks Conservancy and UnderConstruction. The Holiday Lights project involves two unique holiday experiences in 2013: The IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park Light Tour at Phalen Park in St. Paul which is open nightly from November 26-January 1, 2014. For more information please visit our website: http://www.lightsinthepark.org, find us on Facebook: facebook.com/HolidayLightsMN or follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/HolidayLightsMN.