The drive-through event, hosted by the Lake Antoine Park Partners, will open on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, and close on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. Daily viewing will run from dusk, at about 5 p.m., until 10 p.m. Admission is free to spectators.

“This year, we have 65 campground sites that will be decorated,” LAPP Treasurer Ann Hruska said. “We keep growing each year — we have added the back entrance, as well as doubled up in the pavilions.”

Hruska noted that with the high interest, sites were filled by early September.

“We did have a few cancellations but had a waiting list and those people were really excited to be able to come and be a part of it,” she said.

The Kleiman Pump & Well Drilling site that was part of the 2024 Lights at the Lake at Lake Antoine. (Courtesy photo)

LAPP will again light up the campground entrance to welcome the community as they visit the campsites. They will also light up and decorate the new playground for everyone to check out the new pieces.

About 20% of the participants are new this year. “It’s exciting to see some new faces,” Hruska said. “And we have some folks I feel like are our friends, because they have been with us from the start.”

Many participants started creating their displays Oct. 18. “Last week, they were out in full force to get the final touches done,” she added.

The public can expect to see a variety of creative displays — from small and large — that depicts their business or organization.

“The three winners are here from last year, doing a bang-up job,” Hruska said. “Everyone is doing a great job — it’s going to be fun.”

Hruska made special mention of newcomer Dickinson-Iron Technical Education Center that will be designed by tech students. “They are doing a little competition between the classes — it’s a bit of a rivalry. It should be fun,” she said.

This year’s Lights at the Lake best site contest will be a judged competition.

LAPP event team members will score the technical merit section of the contest, which includes how well the lights stay lit, if the site’s well-maintained and if display is completed and taken down on time, she said.

Community judges will score the artistic and community appeal component of the competition.

Hruska noted that reflecting the business and organization is a key component in the judging.

“We decided to go a little different format to make it fair this year,” she said. “We want to avoid ballot stuff and go by merit.”

LAPP will still encourage the community to express their favorite displays on their Facebook page.

The annual open house is planned from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.

The evening gives each participant an opportunity to be present to greet attendees as they drive through.

“Many will be dressed up, having music playing and passing out candy or goodies, along with some Christmas cheer,” Hruska said.

Kids can look out for Santa by pavilion 1.

The open house is a drive-through event only, for safety reasons.

Lights at the Lake started in 2021 with a few decorated campsites to get the community in the holiday spirit. The event has become a tradition for thousands each year.

“We hope everyone comes out to enjoy another spectacular display by participants,” Hruska said.

For more information or to be placed on the 2026 early registration list, email 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.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.