Bentleyville has been a tourist attraction and Duluthian tradition for over a decade. The kids and I have gone every year for the past 3 years and intend on keeping the tradition going!
Every year the lights follow the same paths, but every year they add something new. And it. Is. Magical.
You are greeted by fires burning to warm up and use as a meeting place to connect with friends and family. Then you go in and the story of Rudolph is told in pictures.
The whole thing. From flight practice.
To the Island of misfit toys.
There's one with the dentist elf and rudolph, but it moves so pictures were not practical.
Even the abominable makes a few spots.
The line to santa is decorated with dinosaurs this year. We didn't visit with him, crowds were small compared to most times we have been due to rain, but it was still over an hour wait to visit Mr. Clause.
They have their own Christmas music, with Duluth and Bentleyville in the lyrics.
And the tree dances to the music.
I have a video of it, if anybody can give me a tutorial on how to upload it?
This thing is 128 feet tall, it's just massive!
There are places set up for cute pictures of the kids.
Lots and lots of them, and there's a line for every one.
But it's Minnesota, so it typically goes that you take the picture for the people in front of you, and the people behind you take the picture for you, so the line goes pretty quick.
It has a great view of the lift bridge.
And this is great to kind of show how vast the place is. With the usual crowds it typically takes an hour to get through there.
A nod to the dragon boat festival.
And an actual dragon. 💙
A giant teddy bear.
And so many more things that move and do amazing stuff that photos do not do justice to.
Let's finish with this guy. I love him.
What puts the magic in your traditions?
I hope you enjoyed the walk! Love to you!!!