by doitinnorth | Dec 19, 2021 | events/locations, evergreen
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!
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Self-guided Christmas Classic Tour and self-guided
Evening Candlelight Tours are available for purchase online. Self-guided Christmas Full Mansion tickets are only available for purchase
onsite. Plus, a tour
perk, read below! To learn more visit:
Glensheen.org.
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360º View of a Christmas Tree
How often do you get a 360º view of a Christmas Tree? See the Main Hall tree from all angels and a bird’s-eye view as you head up the stairs. See 25 Christmas Trees and 25 Hidden elves on a
self-guided Christmas tour now through January 8th.
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by doitinnorth | Dec 12, 2021 | events/locations, evergreen
Dusty Hoskovec Photography
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The Mpls Downtown Council is excited to produce Holidazzle this holiday season. Holidazzle will return to mpls downtown in-person during the 2021 season, including in food, beverages, shopping, entertainment and fun in Loring Park on December 17-19.
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What is the Minneapolis Holidazzle?
Holidazzle is a mpls downtown holiday tradition that creates a community gathering place and holiday destination for people of all ages to come together and celebrate winter. Holidazzle focuses on featuring local people, places and products that showcase the local food and art scenes, active lifestyle, local entertainers, and community groups that make our city and region unique and special.
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Holidazzle Yeti
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What will be part of Holidazzle in Loring Park?
Holidazzle in Loring Park will feature local foods, beverages and shopping from area small businesses, fireworks (Friday & Saturday at 7 pm), Holidazzle Yeti, amusement rides (carousel, Ferris Wheel, giant slide), fire pits, photo ops, SnowGa and more.
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Where should I park when attending Holidazzle in Loring Park?
The Mpls College Parking Ramp is the premier parking partner for Holidazzle. Parking at Mpls College will be a flat $5 or less rate during all Holidazzle hours on December 17-19. The parking ramp is located at 1420 Hennepin Avenue (entrance on Laurel Ave. W.) and is a short walk to Holidazzle in Loring Park. Click here to visit the Mpls College parking ramp website.
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What other activities and events are happening in mpls downtown this holiday season?
Along with Holidazzle, enjoy the holiday season in mpls downtown including Anastasia at the Orpheum Theatre, A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater, Toy Story at Orchestra Hall, holiday storefront windows and entertainment at The Dayton’s Project, lighting along Nicollet and Peavey Plaza, Timberwolves and Vikings games, concerts, first-class dining and much more. Visit mplsdowntown.com for a full calendar of events. See you downtown.
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doitinnorth shop/share
Littlearth Unisex-Adult NFL Minnesota Vikings Plaid Crinkle Scarf, Team Color
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Why is Holidazzle taking place during just one weekend in Loring Park?
Holidazzle is excited to be back in-person this year but, but public health is still a top priority. As we walk back toward the full Holidazzle experience in 2022, we are offering moments to celebrate together this holiday season while making adjustments for public health purposes.
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What differences will I see related to COVID-19 planning and preparations?
Holidazzle will be gathering in Loring Park for one weekend, Friday, December 17 through Sunday, December 19. Holidazzle will not have indoor heated tents this year, and the Mpls WinterSkate skating rink will not be part of Holidazzle. Hand sanitizer will be present, and entertainment offerings have been adjusted to help provide social distancing experiences.
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Will there be a kids zone area this year?
Holidazzle’s kids zone will be removed this year as we know children under 5 are not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and kids 5-11 have just received clearance for vaccinations. There will be amusement rides and activities including a carousel, Ferris Wheel and giant slide—all of which offer social distancing opportunities.
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What is your masking policy?
Public health is a priority at Holidazzle. The event will be following CDC and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines as part of its planning process. CDC recommends people who are not fully vaccinated wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings or during activities that involve sustained close contact with other people.
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Are there any opportunities to participate in Holidazzle this year?
Yes, we suggest that you start by visiting Holidazzle.com and by following Holidazzle on social media.
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How can I volunteer?
We encourage you to click here to sign up for a volunteer shift.
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ICYMI
Minnesota College of Science and Engineering Presents: Winter Light Shows
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by doitinnorth | Dec 5, 2021 | events/locations, evergreen
Join us for a
CSE Premiere Party
Friday, Dec. 10th, 2021, 5-6:30 p.m.
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Join the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering (CSE) and Tesla Works for three dazzling light shows designed by science and engineering students. The high-tech light show features more than 250,000 LED lights set to music written and recorded by University of Minnesota students. And special thanks to Banner Engineering for sponsoring the show!
Now in its 10th year, the show has become a campus winter tradition. Lights will surround the semi-circular Civil Engineering Courtyard and will be synchronized to music for a 360-degree sensory outdoor experience. Features include a giant 22-foot lighted tree, two 8-foot 3D snowman signs, 8-foot lighted arches, a 5-foot-by-12-foot lighted pixelated changeable sign, a 6-foot circular light structure, 10 two-foot lighted snowflakes, and several lighted trees. The students estimate that the show includes more than five miles of lights and extension cords. The light show is presented by the University of Minnesota Tesla Works student group. The show features the technical and creative skills of University of Minnesota science and engineering students and their ability to have fun on campus—even in the winter. Share your photos on social media using #cselightshow.
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doitinnorth shop/share
The North Face Retro TNF Pom Beanie, Vanadis Grey/TNF
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Thursday, Dec. 9th, Friday, Dec. 10th, Saturday, Dec. 11th
Shows are at 5:30, 6 and 6:30 p.m. on the Civil Engineering Building Courtyard, 500 Pillsbury Dr. S.E., Minneapolis.
Each show will last about 20 minutes. All events are free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations required.
by doitinnorth | Nov 21, 2021 | events/locations, evergreen
Installation has begun! You can look forward to scenes like this again soon. Wintertime in Stillwater will yet again be lined with twinkling lights throughout the downtown district as of Friday, November 26th! It’s all free for you! Enjoy shopping by day and dinner, then a stroll through the lights by night.
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Discover the historic riverfront district glimmering with charm and full of festivities through March. Stillwater, Minnesota has always been a serene and romantic winter season destination but
last year the town really pulled together to create a winter wonderland with new decorations and attractions, so for 2022 they are planning to build on that new tradition with even more. We’ve lit up our historic district! The tops of our historic buildings are lined with twinkle so get ready for all the lights to glow when the historic lift bridge lights turn on and Chestnut Street’s
LED light show set to music begins for nightly entertainment. In 2022, you can look forward to the first annual
World Snow Sculpting Championship January 18-23!
Mainstreet Stillwater MN
Main Street rooflines will be outlined in white lights and street lamp posts donned with blue snowflakes.The historic lift bridge will be light up on both sides and the riverwalk will have decorated street lamps, too!
For the Christmas and Hanukkah holiday season, local merchants are thrilled to welcome you with many gift ideas during Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday, November 26-27th. Did you know that all 50+ shops in the historic downtown district of Stillwater are locally owned?
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mn curated
Minnesota Homesick Scented Candle: Take a deep breath of winter air with scents of the North Star State Notes of baked apple strudel and maple mix with peppermint. Top Notes: Apple, Maple, Clove; Mid Notes: Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Peppermint; Base Notes: Vanilla, Sugar, Tonka Bean. All natural soy wax blend. Hand poured in the USA.
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Head to Stillwater, MN if you prefer a charming nostalgic holiday shopping and dining experience during “Hometown for the Holidays” month-long celebration full of events. From caroling tours on the Biercycle to horse-drawn wagonette rides to an Elf takeover and a Twinkle Party, downtown Stillwater is all lit up for you to enjoy the season of giving.
Reuniting with friends and family? Book a stay so you can walk to the shops and restaurants right from your hotel! A special event open container ordinance has been allowed for Lowell Park (riverfront grassy area) area only, so feel free to enjoy your hot toddy to-go. Haven’t been to Stillwater in a while, see what’s new.
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Missed viewing last year…
by doitinnorth | Nov 14, 2021 | events/locations, evergreen
Come see America’s largest FREE walk-through lighting display.
Bentleyville has free admission for all guests, as well as free hot cocoa & coffee, free cookies, free freshly popped popcorn, free marshmallows to roast, and free visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus! There is a charge of $10 per vehicle to park in the Bentleyville lots. Guests are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item or new unwrapped toy to donate to the Salvation Army for those in need.
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Address: 704 W Railroad St, Duluth, MN 55802
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About
In 2001, Nathan Bentley first started decorating his home in Esko, MN for the Christmas season. For the next two years he continually added more lights to create a larger holiday light display; his home quickly became known as the “House with all of the lights in Esko.” In 2003 Nathan changed his light display from a “drive by” to a “walkthrough” with Santa Claus visiting on weekends.
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Since Nathan was going overboard a friend sarcastically started to call it Bentleyville (referencing Dr. Seuss’s town of Whoville). The name caught on with visitors and in 2003 “Bentleyville Tour of Lights” was born.
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During the summer of 2004, Nathan and his family moved from Esko, MN to rural Cloquet, MN to a larger home for their 4 children. With the new name of “Bentleyville” came a whole new vision for Nathan. To entice people to drive out into the country a larger and grander Christmas light display was being built. A 78’ x 24’ high entrance castle made of 45,000 lights was built to greet visitors. Over 500 illuminated snowflakes hung from trees on his wooded property. Dozens of light displays were created and new ones added each year. Live entertainment was added featuring area school groups and community musicians. Fire pits were added for people to gather around and roast marshmallows. Santa Claus was now a permanent guest every night at Bentleyville visiting with children and handing out a free winter hat and bag of cookies to all the young children visiting with Santa.
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A “Cookie House” was built offering free cookies, coffee and apple cider to everyone visiting Bentleyville. All the walking paths were paved allowing it to be fully handicapped accessible. A Popcorn building was built to hand out free popcorn to the people as they strolled through the light show. A food and toy drive was started to collect items for the Salvation Army in Carlton County.
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mn made
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As the popularity of Bentleyville grew quickly so did traffic problems with the very limited parking available on a dead end country dirt road. The neighbors soon began to express their concerns that something needed to be done about the increased traffic congestion. After just two years and an estimated 35,000 people visiting, Nathan decided the only way to solve the traffic concerns was to build parking lots in nearby horse fields owned by area neighbors. Visitors would be bussed in by hiring nine 72 passenger school busses to transport visitors from two parking fields to the entrance of Bentleyville. After just 5 years of hosting Bentleyville at his residences and transporting over 72,000 people by school bus, in 2008 Nathan thought it was a good time to take a year off and reevaluate how everything was working.
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In the fall of 2008 Nathan received a phone call from Duluth City Mayor Don Ness’s Office inviting him to a meeting to discuss an invitation to host Bentleyville Tour of Lights at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, MN. Nathan thought the new location would be a good fit for Bentleyville and accepted the one year trial invitation.
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For the next year planning for the large undertaking of moving Bentleyville to a venue 4 times the size of his residence was underway. Nathan selected a Board of Directors, formed a 501c3 non profit organization, and asked his original Bentleyville team of 25 people to help organize and plan for a Christmas light show in need of over 600 volunteers over 37 days, taking over 10 weeks to set up the massive light show in Bayfront Festival Park.
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The excitement of Bentleyville moving to Bayfront Park grew and so did the support of area businesses that wanted the light show in Duluth in hopes of drawing people downtown in the cold and snowy months of November and December. On Friday November 27, 2009 Bentleyville Tour of Lights turned on its millions of lights to thousands of onlookers for the first time at Bayfront Park in downtown Duluth. Over 150,000 people visited Bentleyville enjoying the sounds and lights of Christmas.
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On January 8, 2010 Bentleyville announced that it had made a commitment to return to Bayfront Park for at least the next 3 years.
Bentleyville expanded in those 3 years with new displays adding the 128’ animated tree as the center piece of Bentleyville in 2010. In 2011 fresh displays were added like Dino Land, a small gift shop was built in the Family Center, additional lighted tunnels were added, heaters were incorporated into the Santa line, a new home was built for Mrs. Claus and management of the parking lots was turned over to Bentleyville Tour of Lights. In 2012 Santa Claus sky dived into Bentleyville on opening night, Thomas the Tank Engine became a welcome new display, attendance surpassed 206,00 people for the season with over 15,000 friends on Facebook.
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In December 2012 Bentleyville announced it had an agreement with the City of Duluth to continue to bring America’s largest FREE lighting display to Bayfront Park through 2015. Each year adding new light displays and a fresh new look encouraging people of all ages to come visit again and again. 2013 marked the 10th Anniversary of Bentleyville Tour of Lights.
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Stay In Duluth
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South Pier Inn: Make your plans today to experience this festive holiday tradition on the shores of the world’s Greatest Lake!
To celebrate, we are pleased to offer a special weeknight (Sunday-Thursday) discount of 20% off, when you stay two or more nights!
Just use promo code BTLY21 when booking online, or mention the ‘Bentleyville Special’ if booking over the phone.
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Lake Superior Marine Museum: Gales of November – Duluth, MN
