Santa’s Shining Lights start out the seasonal fun Saturday evening in Charles City

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Charles City’s Central Park and Charles City’s sky will be bright with holiday lights Saturday evening, Nov. 30.

The Charles City Rotary Club’s annual “Santa’s Shining Lights” display will be switched on in Central Park, featuring lighted displays set up by dozens of families, businesses and organizations to share their holiday spirit.

Specially selected “switch throwers” will light the Central Park displays at about 5 p.m. Saturday, and food trucks will be on hand around the park.

Later in the evening, at 7 p.m., a holiday fireworks show will be shot off from the courthouse area, over the Cedar River, by J&M Displays.

Also lighted beginning Saturday will be the Memory Lane of names in Sherman Park across from Otto’s Oasis along the Cedar River. The project remembers loved ones who are no longer with us with lighted signs and displays.

The Memory Lane signs are sponsored by individuals, families and organizations, and once purchased are put out each year, continuing to grow the number of those remembered.

Saturday evening will also herald the arrival of Santa Claus in Charles City and the opening of the Santa House in Central Park. Children will be able to share their holiday wishes with Santa and get a treat from 5 to 7 p.m. that evening.

Santa House hours the rest of the holiday season will be Saturday, Dec. 7, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., and 1-3 p.m. on both Saturday, Dec. 14, and Sunday, Dec. 15.

Mrs. Claus will be featured in the Santa House reading stories and giving out treats from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, and Sunday, Dec. 22, while Santa is taking part in horse-drawn wagon rides.

The Central Park displays will be lighted nightly through the end of the holiday season.