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Campsites still available for 2026 LAPP Lights at the Lake

By Terri Castelaz 3 min read

IRON MOUNTAIN -- Christmas may still be months away, but the Lake Antoine Park Partners are gearing up to "deck the campground" in preparation for another season of Lights at the Lake.

"There are still 18 campsites available for businesses and organizations interested in creating a festive display," LAPP Lights at the Lake chairperson Ann Hruska said.

The sixth-annual holiday event, hosted by LAPP in cooperation with Dickinson County Parks, will be in the park from Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 26 through New Year's Day on Jan. 1. Drive-through viewing hours will be from 4 to 10 p.m. each evening. Admission is free.

New this year, the We Energies Foundation will serve as the lead sponsor of Lights at the Lake, donating $5,000 to support the annual holiday event.

"We Energies approached us about partnering, as they do with similar winter events in Wisconsin," Hruska said.

She said the sponsorship will help strengthen several LAPP areas, and We Energies will be recognized on event signage.

Lights at the Lake has expanded to feature more than 65 light displays by local businesses and organizations.

LAPP will again light up the campground entrance to welcome the community, the pavilion at the exit gate and decorate the new playground.

"This year we are going to ramp up the Santa location for the open house," she said, noting Town & Country will have that station this year.

Although registration doesn't close until Nov. 6, Hruska expects the remaining sites to fill well before the deadline and encourages businesses and organizations to reserve their spots soon.

"We had an amazing amount of early registrations this spring -- people were requesting registration forms before February," Hruska said. "We will fill up, not everyone is thinking about Christmas during the summer months."

The registration fee remains $40 per campsite, which includes an electrical post. Participants may reserve up to two sites.

Sites will be labeled by Oct. 15, with setup beginning in middle to late October.

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

All displays must be completed by Sunday, Nov. 22.

There is no theme for the displays, but must clearly identify the business or organization.

Participants must provide their own outdoor-rated lights, cords and timers. Inflatables are discouraged because of the sometimes harsh winds at the lake, and participants are asked to be mindful of trees when hanging lights.

As part of the event, LAPP will host an Outstanding Display Contest. Each display will be judged on design and integrity.

"Last year, we took out the People's Choice vote, and everyone missed it, so we are bringing it back in some way -- we are still in the process of working out the details," she said.

Hruska also reminded participants that displays will need to be removed as soon as possible as weather permits after Jan. 1.

A free Holiday Open House is planned from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13.

Lights at the Lake has become a popular holiday tradition, drawing more than 3,000 vehicles through the campground last year.

Businesses and organizations interested in participating can reserve a site through the Lake Antoine Park Partners website at https://lakeantoine.org.

The availability map will be updated as sites are claimed.

Any questions, email lakeantoineparkpartners@gmail.com.

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

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