A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
It’s a distinctly 21st-century phenomenon: Bentleyville Tour of Lights was born in Carlton County in 2001 and is now a huge, nationally recognized Christmas season event in Duluth’s Bayfront Park.
It’s a lovely setting for the amazing display of lights, snowflakes and holiday cheer.
Santa is available for questioning, by children and grownups alike, and if you’ve been nice he’ll give you a Bentleyville stocking cap. There are Christmas cookies, cider and hot chocolate to enjoy as you stroll through the displays or warm yourselves by the fire pits. It’s often crowded but never hurried, and bumping into others seems to bring smiles all around.
And, it’s all free. Not one of the 300,000-plus people who come every year are charged an admission.
Sure, a donation is appreciated and there are collection areas for food and toys to be given to the Salvation Army, but there’s no pressure.
Cloquet’s Veterans Park was almost chosen for its home in 2008, when Bentleyville outgrew is rural Cloquet home setting, but eventually Duluth convinced Bentleyville to locate there, with its open spaces and available parking. The display is right along the Duluth waterfront, and there are a million more chances to enjoy the spectacle when traveling the Interstate 35 corridor.
But it’s better to stop by and visit in person. The magic of making memories with family and friends has become a tradition to those who visit, volunteer, donate and assist. Bentleyville is open 5 p.m. daily through Saturday, Dec. 28 — it’s open even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
We’re a little wistful that we let this terrific display leave Carlton County, but we surely appreciate the genius of Nathan Bentley, his family, and all the volunteers they’ve assembled to create and continue this great holiday tradition.
P.S. For those who don’t like the crowds or who find walking a challenge, take a drive with your family through Cloquet’s Spafford Park, then cruise past Dunlap Island, the old steam train at Fauley Park, Veterans Park and the bandshell at Pinehurst for a much quieter but still enjoyable holiday light tour. Want more? Find the Cloquet entries and addresses for the Christmas Lighting Challenge online at christmaslightingchallenge.com.
