BEMIDJI — The First City of Lights Foundation has announced a new addition that will be joining Bemidji’s winter light display this upcoming holiday season.
Last year’s additions of the LED pixel tree and the “Giving Ornaments of Dreams” immersive light displays sparked a new idea, which Executive Director Josh Peterson announced outside of the Tourist Information Center on Tuesday.
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“Last year we had the addition of the LED pixel tree, which was the largest of its kind in the Midwest,” Peterson shared. “So we took the idea of using pixels that are programmable, but to also add that with something that's immersive.”
Bemidji Steel Company will be partnering with the foundation for the second year, with President Jane Grasdalen and COO Alex Grasdalen present at the unveiling.
“We're really excited to sponsor this and really show off what we can do not only for manufacturing capability but also to show off the wonderful community we have here,” Alex shared. “Anything to make our city brighter in the dark winter that we have makes it a better place to be and brings more people to the area. So it means a lot to us to be able to support it.”
As well as the partnership with Bemidji Steel, Peterson expressed gratitude for the city Parks and Recreation Department.
“Honestly, we could not do this without the Parks and Recreation Department,” Peterson said. “So we greatly appreciate the partnership we have with them.”
Parks and Recreation Director Marcia Larson, Superintendent Scott Schroeder and Supervisor Jamie Anderson were also on hand for the unveiling.
“The crew looks forward to it every year because they have a lot of fun putting up (the lights),” Larson said of their contributions to the winter festivities. “They really enjoy seeing the lights and seeing the community enjoy them.”
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The great reveal
With the help of the Grasdalens, Peterson revealed a poster of the new addition for this year’s First City of Lights display: “The Greatest Gift,” which will be the world's largest digital immersive pixel gift display.
“This will be a 20-by-20-by-30-foot tall animated pixel gift using Twinkly Pro digital pixel light technology that will be 4-inch spacing, so tighter spacing than the pixel tree,” Peterson explained. “So to our knowledge and to Light Up the Night Production, who is a world-class commercial display operator, this will be the largest of its kind digital gift in the world. So we are hoping to break that world record this year during our 28th annual Night We Light Celebration.”
In addition to the unveiling, Peterson announced that Library Park and Paul Bunyan Park will now be implementing LED lights that are reused.
“So no more cutting lights out of the trees, we will be illuminating both Library and Paul Bunyan Parks with all 100% LED lights that will be reused for the coming years,” Peterson shared. “So that is an exciting addition and an opportunity for us to do what's right sustainability-wise. This will make Bemidji a brighter and better place overall for the community.”
Peterson closed by wishing people a happy National Leon Day, which is “noel” spelled backward. It celebrates the six-month countdown to Christmas Day.
“Thank you to all who made it out here today and happy National Leon Day, everyone,” Peterson left off. “Merry Christmas, and we'll see you back here this November for the 28th annual First City of Lights, where we will break the world record for the largest digital gift display.”
This year’s Night We Light Celebration will be held on Nov. 29, including the Night We Light parade in downtown Bemidji, followed by the flipping of the giant light switch in Paul Bunyan Park illuminating the area in over 850,000 lights.
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Like every year, the event is solely put on by community donations. Peterson said fundraising for the grand holiday celebration is ongoing and much appreciated. To donate to the First City of Lights Foundation, visit
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