Holiday Lights - A History and Overview

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Diana Morrow

Helping Services for Youth and Families Executive Director and fellow Decorah Rotarian Carson Eggland will join the After Hours team to share the backstory of Holiday Lights, one of the region's longest-running holiday light shows.

Holiday Lights, hosted at the Pulpit Rock Campground on the west side of Decorah, is Helping Services' biggest fundraiser of the year and enlists contributions from over 300 volunteers throughout the calendar year. A standout feature of the Holiday Lights celebration is the "Walk-Thru Night," which has grown into a popular community event since its inception in 2015. Originally a suggestion from visitors, this special preview event takes place the night before Thanksgiving, giving people a chance to enjoy soup and treats from local businesses and to see the lights up close before the drive-through display opens. For the 2025 display, the Walk-Thru Night is being held on Wednesday, November 26; the drive-through opens the following day on Thanksgiving, and the display runs through its final day of operation on Christmas Day.

Prior to assuming Executive Director duties in June 2015, Carson and his wife Chauncy resided in Iowa City where Carson served the local Ronald McDonald House for 12 years.

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