COVID 19 Festival of Lights is a success.

The year 2020 has been a strange one for all of us and our yearly Festival of Lights was no different.  The chamber was busy trying to keep keep things as normal as possible had to finally admit that our Festival of Lights was going to have to look different this year.

We introduced our Tour of Lights, Pro West of Walker worked with us to design an app that decorated homes and businesses could be listed on and help guide families to a driving tour to view our beautiful lights.  We had about 29 entries this year and those who tried it loved it so much we are going to keep it going for 2021 Festival of Lights.   We did have travelers vote on the homes and lights and ended up with two winners.

The Ravenhorst home was chosen the 1st place winner in our Tour of Lights.  The Ravenhorst received $100 in chamber bucks. 2nd place goes to Vivan Auel. Vivan will receive $50 in chamber bucks.

So start planning now for your lights for the Tour of Lights in 2021.

The Village Square Pizza is always willing to help by allowing us to put up a local tree in front, and 2020 was no different.  This year we asked residents to share their DIY ornaments and had a few ornament added to the lighted community tree.

This ornament was chosen as the winner of the DIY ornament on the Community Tree in front of Village Square. We had about 15 entries this year – but hope to make this an annual contest and hope you start thinking about your DIY ornament for 2021. IF THIS IS YOUR ORNAMENT PLEASE call 218-547-1313 for claim your prize.

The Great Gift Card Giveaway was once again a winner for our area.  We had 4 packages of gift cards to give away for those who collected the Red Tickets.  Area Businesses who participated include:

513 @ Mainstream

Art & Antique Mall of Walker

Bayside Bar & Grill

Chase on the Lake

Charlies Up North

Christmas Point Wild Rice Co.

Frizzell Furniture Gallary

Green Scene Organic Market

Heritage

Jenny & Company Walker

Lakes Area Powersports

Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

Loney Sales & Service

Lundrigans Clothing

Next Innovations/UPS

Nistler Floor Covering Inc.

Orton’s Walker Cenex

Orton’s Y mart/Y Bait

Piggy BBQ

Reeds Family Outdoor Outfitters

Super One

TJ’s Floral & Design

Verizon/ Select Communications Walker location

Village Square Pizza & Ice Cream Palor

Walker General Store

Walker Home Center

Wilkening Fireplaces

The four winners include:

$1000 package Ginny Peterson is the winner of the Grand Prize. Ginny said she has never won anything and was very excited. Her winning number came from: Nistler Floorcovering

$500 Package Laura Toft is the winner of the $500 dollars of local gift cards. Laura is new to the area, moving here last February. Laura said it feels like a wonderful “welcome to the neighborhood gift” Her ticket was from :Super One

$500 Package The winner is Gail Becher from Ten Mile Lake by Hackensack. Her ticket came from Wilkenings Fireplaces. Sunday was her birthday, so this was a wonderful birthday surprise.

$500 Package Kelly Felton claimed the next package with her winning number from Christmas Point However her husband stopped in to claim the prize. I certainly hope she shares with him!

Thank you everyone for shopping local and better luck to all next year. Thank you  To Paul Bunyan Broadcasting and especially Colleen for all the leg work.

Thank you for our sponsors:  Pro West Associates – Northern Lights Event Center – Spencer Ross American Legion – Walker Bay Theater – SuperOne – Traveling Art Pub