First City of Lights
Night We Light Festival
November 27, 2020
INFORMATION LISTED BELOW IS CONTINUALLY BEING UPDATED FOR 2020!
PLEASE CHECK BACK!
PLEASE CHECK BACK!
Thank you to our Partnering Sponsors!
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SCROLL DOWN FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE
NIGHT WE LIGHT PARADE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
NIGHT WE LIGHT PARADE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
Help Make This Season Shine Bright!
The Bemidji Jaycees are proud to continue the First City of Lights, which has become a treasured Christmas tradition. The Jaycees continue to expand the light display throughout the downtown and beyond. This is an extremely expensive undertaking and we cannot do it without your support. Please consider making a donation or becoming a sponsor!
DO YOU WANT YOUR SPONSORSHIP TO STAND OUT IN THE CROWD? Consider becoming one of the Sponsors of the 5 Golden Wreaths or 4 "Paul's Planters"!
The 5 Golden Wreaths are 6 feet tall and are illuminated with clear lights throughout the holiday season. They are in a very prominent location in Paul Bunyan Park and have high visibility from the passing vehicle traffic. For a sponsorship of $500 per wreath, your business, family, or organization will have your name featured in the center of a wreath.
"Paul's Planters" are the 4 planters that are located in the plaza in front of the Paul & Babe statues in Paul Bunyan Park. Your logo would be wrapped around all four sides of this 3'x3' planter and decorated with beautiful, fresh-cut, pine decorations provided by Hill's Country Greenhouse. This is a very high foot traffic area, with great visibility, that will give your business exposure as a proud sponsor of First City of Lights! The cost is the same as a Golden Wreath Sponsorship.
The business/individual pledge form is available below so you can contribute any amount. Every dollar helps, and our goal is to keep growing the First City of Lights every year. Please use the First City of Lights Donation Contact Form, located at the bottom of this page, if you would like to speak to Josh, "Captain Christmas", about any of these great sponsorship opportunities.
DO YOU WANT YOUR SPONSORSHIP TO STAND OUT IN THE CROWD? Consider becoming one of the Sponsors of the 5 Golden Wreaths or 4 "Paul's Planters"!
The 5 Golden Wreaths are 6 feet tall and are illuminated with clear lights throughout the holiday season. They are in a very prominent location in Paul Bunyan Park and have high visibility from the passing vehicle traffic. For a sponsorship of $500 per wreath, your business, family, or organization will have your name featured in the center of a wreath.
"Paul's Planters" are the 4 planters that are located in the plaza in front of the Paul & Babe statues in Paul Bunyan Park. Your logo would be wrapped around all four sides of this 3'x3' planter and decorated with beautiful, fresh-cut, pine decorations provided by Hill's Country Greenhouse. This is a very high foot traffic area, with great visibility, that will give your business exposure as a proud sponsor of First City of Lights! The cost is the same as a Golden Wreath Sponsorship.
The business/individual pledge form is available below so you can contribute any amount. Every dollar helps, and our goal is to keep growing the First City of Lights every year. Please use the First City of Lights Donation Contact Form, located at the bottom of this page, if you would like to speak to Josh, "Captain Christmas", about any of these great sponsorship opportunities.
2020 ADOPT-A-TREE SPONSORSHIP
| Adopt-A-Tree Sponsor_2020 |
2020 FIRST CITY OF LIGHTS DONATION
| Individual/Business Sponsor_2020 |
2020 5 GOLDEN WREATH SPONSORSHIP
| 5 Golden Wreaths/4 Planters Sponsor_2020 |
First City of Lights
STREET LIGHT Banner Information
First City of Light Banners will be decorating Bemidji’s streets during the months of November, December and January.
Beginning in mid-November, Bemidji’s downtown street lights will be decorated with Christmas City banners. As an incentive for businesses or individuals that wish to contribute to our Christmas light display, each banner will feature the business or donor’s name. The banners will spread holiday cheer throughout Downtown Bemidji, building excitement for the Night We Light Parade and will show our appreciation to those who contribute. The Banners will be decorating Bemidji’s streets during the months of November, December and January.
For more information or if you wish to contribute please visit:
www.bemidjijaycees.com
or
Mail in the order form by October 31, 2020 to:
Bemidji Jaycees
Attn: First City Of Lights
PO Box 293
Bemidji, MN 56619
For more information or if you wish to contribute please visit:
www.bemidjijaycees.com
or
Mail in the order form by October 31, 2020 to:
Bemidji Jaycees
Attn: First City Of Lights
PO Box 293
Bemidji, MN 56619
2020 CHRISTMAS CITY BANNER SPONSORSHIP
| Adopt-A-Banner_Christmas 2020 |
Santa Letters
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 30, 2020
Receive a personalized letter addressed to your child from Santa himself, along with a surprise!
Download the order form below. Mail the form and $5.00 to:
Bemidji Jaycees, Attn: Santa Letter, PO Box 293, Bemidji, MN 56619
You can also hand deliver your child’s letter to Santa, along with this form and payment, to Santa’s North Pole Mailbox at the Paul Bunyan Mall Santa display in the center court area. It must be delivered there by November 30, in order to receive a Santa Letter in time!
Receive a personalized letter addressed to your child from Santa himself, along with a surprise!
Download the order form below. Mail the form and $5.00 to:
Bemidji Jaycees, Attn: Santa Letter, PO Box 293, Bemidji, MN 56619
You can also hand deliver your child’s letter to Santa, along with this form and payment, to Santa’s North Pole Mailbox at the Paul Bunyan Mall Santa display in the center court area. It must be delivered there by November 30, in order to receive a Santa Letter in time!
| Santa Letters Form 2020 |
First City of Lights Tour of Homes
FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW FOR AN ELECTRONIC MAP! HAPPY TOURING!
BE SURE TO COME BACK TO THIS WEBPAGE TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE HOME STARTING NOVEMBER 27.
VOTING LINK STILL TO COME
The Bemidji Jaycees are once again compiling a list of homes and creating a map of the decorated homes.
There is no charge to add your home to the list and spread the holiday cheer! We simply ask that you have your lights on from 5pm to 10pm, 7 days a week, from November 27, 2020 to January 1, 2021.
To add your home to the FIRST CITY OF LIGHTS TOUR OF HOMES 2020, just follow the link below to register your home by November 23 to be on the tour.
After registration closes, your address will be added to our tour map. We will then publish the map of the tour and have it available online. It will also be available for pick up at the Bemidji Jaycees Night We Light Festival, held on November 27, in Santa's Workshop (located inside the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce Tourist Information Center in Paul Bunyan Park, at the Lake Bemidji water front by Paul and Babe) as well as various locations around town. Stay tuned for more details.
Stay updated on our special Facebook page here for the First City of Lights Tour of Homes!
Click on the link below to get your home registered today!
There is no charge to add your home to the list and spread the holiday cheer! We simply ask that you have your lights on from 5pm to 10pm, 7 days a week, from November 27, 2020 to January 1, 2021.
To add your home to the FIRST CITY OF LIGHTS TOUR OF HOMES 2020, just follow the link below to register your home by November 23 to be on the tour.
After registration closes, your address will be added to our tour map. We will then publish the map of the tour and have it available online. It will also be available for pick up at the Bemidji Jaycees Night We Light Festival, held on November 27, in Santa's Workshop (located inside the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce Tourist Information Center in Paul Bunyan Park, at the Lake Bemidji water front by Paul and Babe) as well as various locations around town. Stay tuned for more details.
Stay updated on our special Facebook page here for the First City of Lights Tour of Homes!
Click on the link below to get your home registered today!
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR 2020
KZY FM 95.5 is the official radio home for the First City of Lights Tour of Homes
Enjoy the Tour with Christmas music November 27 - December 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and then December 4 through Christmas Day from 6 p.m. to midnight! THANK YOU to KZY FM 95.5! If you love taking the tour with the glorious sound of Christmas music, show them some love on their Facebook page here!
Enjoy the Tour with Christmas music November 27 - December 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and then December 4 through Christmas Day from 6 p.m. to midnight! THANK YOU to KZY FM 95.5! If you love taking the tour with the glorious sound of Christmas music, show them some love on their Facebook page here!
Christmas Window Display Contest
The Bemidji Jaycees are once again sponsoring the First City of Lights Christmas Window Decorating Contest. There is no entry fee to participate.
We are encouraging the downtown businesses to decorate their windows with light displays for the holiday season. The public will vote from November 23 (at dusk) through December 11 at the Bemidji Chamber with write-in votes.
To be eligible, please register your business through the link below. All windows must have a sign that states they are participating in the contest. All windows must also be lit from dusk to 10 p.m nightly from November 20 - December 25.
If you have questions, you can contact the Bemidji Jaycees through the First City of Lights Contact Form below.
Click on the link below to get your business registered today!
We are encouraging the downtown businesses to decorate their windows with light displays for the holiday season. The public will vote from November 23 (at dusk) through December 11 at the Bemidji Chamber with write-in votes.
To be eligible, please register your business through the link below. All windows must have a sign that states they are participating in the contest. All windows must also be lit from dusk to 10 p.m nightly from November 20 - December 25.
If you have questions, you can contact the Bemidji Jaycees through the First City of Lights Contact Form below.
Click on the link below to get your business registered today!
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
Please visit these participating businesses to enjoy their window displays! Ballots to vote for your favorite display are available at the Tourist Information Center, next to the statues of Paul & Babe, starting November 23 through December 11. Or you can click the link below.
Bemidji Community Theater, 316 Beltrami Ave NW
Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 1st St W (east window of Mayflower Building)
Bemidji Woolen Mills, 301 Irvine Ave NW
Gallery North Art Gallery, 310 4th St NW
Greater Bemidji, 102 1st St W (north window of Mayflower Building)
MJB Home Center, 418 Beltrami Ave NW
Northwoods Baptist Church, 216 Beltrami Ave NW
Patterson's Clothing, 200 3rd St NW
Pine Country Insurance, 507 Beltrami Ave NW
Rother's Just Desserts, 419 Beltrami Ave NW
Second Act Outlet, 206 Minnesota Ave
The Hanger, 217 3rd St NW
Thrifty Kids, 311 3rd St NW
VRTX Laserworks Studio, 802 Paul Bunyan Dr S
Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 1st St W (east window of Mayflower Building)
Bemidji Woolen Mills, 301 Irvine Ave NW
Gallery North Art Gallery, 310 4th St NW
Greater Bemidji, 102 1st St W (north window of Mayflower Building)
MJB Home Center, 418 Beltrami Ave NW
Northwoods Baptist Church, 216 Beltrami Ave NW
Patterson's Clothing, 200 3rd St NW
Pine Country Insurance, 507 Beltrami Ave NW
Rother's Just Desserts, 419 Beltrami Ave NW
Second Act Outlet, 206 Minnesota Ave
The Hanger, 217 3rd St NW
Thrifty Kids, 311 3rd St NW
VRTX Laserworks Studio, 802 Paul Bunyan Dr S
THANK YOU to our 2020 Golden Wreath Sponsors:
Marco
Norbord
Paul Bunyan Communications
Sanford Health
TruStar Federal Credit Union
Marco
Norbord
Paul Bunyan Communications
Sanford Health
TruStar Federal Credit Union
THANK YOU to our 2020 Paul's Planters Sponsors:
EvenAire Systems
Enbridge
Security Bank USA
Visit Bemidji
EvenAire Systems
Enbridge
Security Bank USA
Visit Bemidji
Santa's Workshop
Please see Image Photography & Digital Imaging's Facebook page here or below for additional
dates and times for pictures with Santa.
Please note that the to-go crafts, Letters to Santa, Window Display Voting and maps are
only available on November 27.
dates and times for pictures with Santa.
Please note that the to-go crafts, Letters to Santa, Window Display Voting and maps are
only available on November 27.
Carts of Care
Night We Light un-Parade Information
SANFORD CENTER PARKING LOT
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 20, 2020
November 27, 2020
Check-in starts at 4:00 PM
Motorized units in place by 5:00 PM
Parade promptly starts at 6:00 PM
Check-in starts at 4:00 PM
Motorized units in place by 5:00 PM
Parade promptly starts at 6:00 PM
Bemidji Jaycees FCL Un-Parade Permit is available at City Hall. Below is our written Covid Plan that we submitted with the permitting process.
| Bemidji Jaycees Covid Plan |
Below is the Stay Safe MN Guidance for Vehicle Gatherings, Parades, and Drive-ins.
Highlights of this document:
- Each vehicle may be occupied only by members of the same household.
- Concessions are suspended at this time. (There will no be no concessions available.)
- If vehicle windows are open, masks must be worn by the people in the vehicle.
- Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between vehicles with open windows.
- Attendees must remain in their vehicles unless they need to use a restroom. Masks must be worn when outside the vehicle.
- Bands are allowed but not recommended at this time. Performers must maintain social distancing, even during performance. (There will be no bands in attendance.)
- Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath, etc.) is not advised to attend.
Highlights of this document:
- Each vehicle may be occupied only by members of the same household.
- Concessions are suspended at this time. (There will no be no concessions available.)
- If vehicle windows are open, masks must be worn by the people in the vehicle.
- Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between vehicles with open windows.
- Attendees must remain in their vehicles unless they need to use a restroom. Masks must be worn when outside the vehicle.
- Bands are allowed but not recommended at this time. Performers must maintain social distancing, even during performance. (There will be no bands in attendance.)
- Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath, etc.) is not advised to attend.
| Stay Safe MN Guidance for Vehicle Gatherings, Parades and Drive-ins |
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The Bemidji Jaycees also organize the Night We Light Parade, in addition to the First City of Lights activities!
We invite your business or organization to be a part of this annual tradition! Please join us after the parade at the waterfront by Paul & Babe as we "flip the switch" to light the trees, signaling that the holiday season has begun in Bemidji. If you or your organization would like to participate in the parade, please fill out and send in the registration form. There is a $25.00 registration fee for businesses; there is $10.00 fee for non-profit organizations. Pre-registration is required by Friday, November 20, to be included in the parade. If you do not pre-register you will be placed at the end of the parade line-up and charged a registration fee of $35.00. Please see the form for additional parade guidelines. Due to COVID, the City is not permiting public events of this nature as we have had in years past. We are currently planning to hold an "Un-Parade" like we did for the 4th of July. The Night We Light Un-Parade will be a parked parade in the Sanford Center parking lot. We will line participants around the parking lot so community members can drive through to see the parade floats. At the end, the Bemidji Jaycees will hand people swag bag filled with candy and items from Parade participants. See the Registration Form for full details and guidelines. PLEASE DO NOT HAVE A LIVE SANTA CLAUS ON YOUR FLOAT! Please respect that there will be one float with a live Santa Claus as to not confuse children. |
NIGHT WE LIGHT PARADE REGISTRATION
We encourage you to register online through our secure registration link. Click on the "Un-Parade Registration" button below to get started. If you have any problems, please fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page. If you wish to pay by check, please download the paper form and mail it in.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS DUE BY NOVEMBER 20!
Avoid the late fee and get registered today! ATTENTION: All parade participants must agree to the Release/Hold Harmless Agreement. Please pass the form on to your participants. Forms for all parade participants must be turned in at the registration/check-in or e-mailed to bemidjijaycees@gmail.com by November 25.
We really want you to register online to make the event go smoothly but just in case you absolutely do not like the idea of registering online you can download the form here:
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ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR THE PARADE OR THE FIRST CITY OF LIGHTS ACTIVITIES?
Use the appropriate contact form below.
Use the appropriate contact form below.
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