Advertisement This is the 14th anniversary of the Rotary Lights and with more than 2.6 million lights it is the largest holiday display in the Midwest.
In addition to the water- shooting elephant, visitors to the park will see a new U.S. Coast Guard emblem completing the military display. Also, the trolley car that was one of the feature attractions for the La Crosse Metropolitan Transit Utility’s 100th anniversary has lighting that will make it look like it is rolling along on tracks.
A special first for the Rotary Lights organization this year is all the decorations were completed a week early. Onalaska’s Tom Hundt, who is on the Rotary Lights steering committee and helps keep operations on track, said the early completion was due to good weather.
“We’ve had better weather than we’ve had in years,” Hundt said.
“We have never had set up weather this good,” said Rotary Lights President Pat Stephens of rural Holmen. “All the workers are happy, especially the guys on the high lifts putting up lights and displays. They’re really happy.”
Onalaska’s Valley View Rotary was all lined up with crews to help set up displays. It would have been the first time Tom Kelbel, the president of the Valley View Rotary, would have helped with set up. But on Nov. 18, he received an email from Stephens saying that because they were ahead of schedule, all remaining work dates were cancelled.
But, Kelbel didn’t get off scot-free. The Onalaska chapter is scheduled to staff the event on Dec. 5. Kelbel, his wife and their two high school boys will be there to help.
Of course, the fire breathing dragon, Santa Claus, a live nativity scene and more visitors’ favorites will be on display as well.
According to the Rotary Light’s organization, almost 1.4 million food items have been donated over the years and more than $350,000 has been donated to 148 area nonprofit agencies that have supplied the people power to make Rotary Lights possible.
One of those groups providing people power is St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. This is the fifth year that organization has participated. One year the organization was raising funds for a new handicap accessible vehicle. This year, the group plans a resident holiday party complete with live entertainment and maybe a picnic in the summer.
“It all goes back to the residents,” said Heather Butterfield, as she and Beth O’Bryan, both of La Crosse, worked on a display in the Rotary Lights’ trailer. Both of them have been working at Rotary Lights for five years.
Some of their co-workers were outside moving tables and chairs. Jenny Knudson of Holmen said this was her fourth year taking part on behalf of St. Joseph’s. She was mentoring first-timers Jessica Nelson of La Crosse and Jennifer Kolve of West Salem while Larry Peterson of the Valley View Rotary Club kept them on task.
The main task remains ahead and that is a smooth holiday experience for visitors and plenty of food collections and cash donations.
“Last year, we just passed the mark of $200,000 by $4,000,” Stephens said. “We certainly hope we can at least duplicate, if not exceed that number this year.”
Al Brott of West Salem is secretary of the Rotary Lights board of directors. He encourages people to get out of their cars and enjoy the park by walking around. “Tents are set up where groups can perform,” Brott said. “Come and get some holiday entertainment. Try to walk around the park for the ambiance of it.”
Brott has been involved in Rotary since 1988 and has been involved in Rotary Lights since its inception. He participates in the Valley View Rotary Club.
AT A GLANCE
