LAKE ANTOINE PARK Partners has announced they still have 18 available sites for this year’s Lights at the Lake event. The drive-thru event will run from 5 to 10 p.m. Nov. 28 through Dec. 31. Shown is Edelweiss Coffee’s 2024 display. (Ann Hruska/Lake Antoine Park Partners)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The community is invited to help light up Lake Antoine Park campground for the upcoming holiday season.

The fifth-annual Lights at the Lake, hosted by Lake Antoine Park Partners in cooperation with Dickinson County Parks, is planned from Nov. 28 through Dec. 31.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase your business or organization while providing a fun holiday tradition for the community,” LAPP Lights at the Lake chairperson Ann Hruska said.

In 2024, LAPP expanded the event to offer more than 60 designated campsites where participants created their own displays that depict their organization or business.

Each lot is $40, which includes its own electrical post.

“They are also able to reserve up to two campsites; however, we currently are down to 18 sites available,” Hruska said.

Site setup will open starting in October and must be completed by the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Early preparation is encouraged, Hruska explained, to get stakes secured before the ground is frozen.

Displays should clearly identify the business or organization.

“There is no theme, but those that are able to showcase their business, we have noticed they are the most popular,” she added.

This year, the top three sites will be selected by a panel of judges.

Participants must also supply their own outdoor-rated lights, cords and timer.

“Inflatables are strongly discouraged due to the sometimes harsh winds at the lake,” Hruska said. “We also ask that everyone be mindful of the trees when hanging lights.”

She added that board members are happy to answer questions and provide guidance on how to best keep displays lit and trouble free.

Once again, LAPP will light up the campground entrance to welcome the community as they visit the campsites.

Drive-through viewing will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. each evening. Admission is free to spectators.

“Each year the attendance has grown, with more than 3,000 cars driving through,” she said. “It has become a tradition in the families now.”

A free Holiday Open House is planned for the early evening on Sunday, Dec. 14. Site participants are encouraged to greet the public that evening. “Many dress up and pass out treats to the kids,” she said.

To reserve a spot at Lights at the Lake, go to lakeantoine.org or mail a registration form with $40 payment to LAPP, P.O. Box 609, Iron Mountain, MI 49801.

Forms can be printed from the website or are available in the campground store at Lake Antoine Park. The availability map online will be updated as the sites are taken.

For more information, contact lakeantoineparkpartners@gmail.com.

The mission of Lake Antoine Park Partners is to preserve, improve, promote and protect Lake Antoine Park for the use and benefit of the general public. Lake Antoine Park Partners is a 501(c)(3) organization.