SHELL LAKE, WI -- 2020. If there was ever a year to bring the joy of Christmas and the warmth of Christmas lights, this would be the year. It’s more important than ever to interject some sense of normalcy and joy into our frazzled community and beyond.
The Shell Lake Lions Club has made this event possible for years, but this year they decided to pass on organizing the Christmas lights due to Covid-19. When asked, there was a resounding feeling from the businesses in Shell Lake if they would be willing to participate in decorating, pending the approval from the Shell Lake City Council. The idea was presented to the City along with letters from many businesses expressing their interest to participate. The suggestion passed with a 4-2 vote.
The decorating and displays have already begun to appear and will be completely ready by Thanksgiving eve, and they will be lit from 4P-11P nightly.
Some of the businesses and organizations that have generously given their time and talent to this year’s displays include: South Paw Grooming, Shell Lake State Bank, Al’s Market, Arlys Santiago, Salem Lutheran Church, Lake Park Alliance Church, Lakeplace, Potter’s Shed, Shell Lake Art Center, Tri-County Dairy Promoters, Shell Lake Marine, Shell Lake Police Foundation, The Body Shop Fitness Center, the Dryden Family, and Glenview. (These are the cooperating businesses and organizations at the time of publication, however, others are still making contact with Matt Dryden, Body Shop Fitness Center owner.)
“When driving through Shell Lake on highway 63, make sure you see the impressive displays in the campground from the Community Center to the campground entrance,” said Matt Dryden.
“It is great to see such wonderful outpouring of community support from the businesses and individuals that have spent the time and money to create such a wonderful display.”
“Since I did not have the past year’s participant information, with the help from Arlys Santiago, we tried to contact as many as we could remember from seeing last year's displays. However, some had already decided to do something else upon hearing it was canceled for this year and many others have contacted me and expressed their interest to make this a wonderful display of lights.”
Another must-see is at the Shell Lake American Legion Bergin-Nieman Post #225 on the corner of Main Street (5th Ave) and 1st Street, directly across from Al’ Market and the Shell Lake State Bank. This display is a great memorial to all the men and women who celebrated Christmas overseas in times of conflict.
The displays will be lit from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.
Terry and Diane Dryden
Dave McNulty
Arlys Santiago
Last Update: Nov 22, 2020 2:01 pm CST
