Photo by Karin Elton Kayleigh Kontz and Jane Janssen decorate a pot Thursday at Independence Park. The two are part of the Women’s Connect group. They helped decorate planters for the Prairie Home Hospice Light up the Night event as part of their monthly volunteer activity.

MARSHALL — Light up the Night is becoming a lot more than just lighting displays.

“We have a lot of new family/friend activities,” said Tara Plante, marketing and development director at Prairie Home Hospice and Community Care.

“Every year we learn more and more about what lights work best, what families want out of the event, and how we can partner with the community to help this event become bigger and better each year,” said Cassi Weiss, marketing and development associate for Prairie Home Hospice.

This year’s Light Up the Night event hosted by Prairie Home Hospice and Community Care will be put on at Independence Park starting Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. It will continue every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in December.

A Holiday Light Parade will kick everything off at 6 p.m. Friday. The parade will travel from Main Street to Independence Park. A holiday fireworks display will follow, while Kayla Daniels will provide music entertainment from 7-9 p.m.

Light up the Night will also feature a live Nativity scene, trolley rides, and hay rides from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and a fall raffle drawing at 8 p.m.

New events to this year include the new “We Grow Together” decorating program that allows groups and families to bring lights and decorate a tree for the event.

“The more people and families that make this light event an annual tradition, the better it is for the community, and the better it will get each year,” Weiss said.  

Many partners and local organizations like the city of Marshall, Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, Marshall Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Holy Redeemer helped in making this event possible.

“We’re excited to have the events again and to have partners like Holy Redeemer and the city to put this on again,” Plante said.

“Each year, hundreds of individuals, volunteers, businesses, and organizations from across Lyon County and beyond come together to support Light Up the Night. Funds raised through this event help to ensure that we can continue to live up to our commitment of providing compassionate hospice to those in need, regardless of their ability to fully pay for that care,” Plante said.

Light up the Night will also feature special events on specific dates. A special event on opening weekend will be the first Light Up the Night Medallion Hunt hosted by Visit Marshall, MN. Clues will posted all week on the Visit Marshall Facebook page.

Other special events include, an ice fishing contest hosted by the Marshall Fire Department on Dec. 8 starting at 4:30 p.m for 16 and under. Registration is required.

A candy cane hunt hosted by the 413 Marshall Early Childhood-ECFE/Preschool is on Dec. 15, starting at 5:30 p.m., and a doggy day hosted by Evan’s Family Pet Care is on Dec. 29 at 5 p.m. featuring dog treats and a photo booth.