Support Make-A-Wish Iowa At Jolly Holiday Lights
Hosted by Make-A-Wish Iowa, Jolly Holiday Lights is an annual favorite and a great way to help grant more wishes for local kids. In 2013, Jolly Holiday Lights raised enough to grant the wishes of 35 children! You can help them reach even more children at this year’s display. All of the proceeds from Jolly Holiday Lights go to Make-A-Wish Iowa.
This year you have the option to preview the display on the Family Night, Nov. 22 and the Fitness Night, Nov. 23. Both of these nights will give you a great option to view the magical display before it opens to the public! From Nov. 25-Jan. 1, Jolly Holiday Lights is a 3.5-mile drive-through the display, but these preview nights will be a great way to enjoy the beautiful lights at your own pace. The display is at the Water Works Park in Des Moines (2201 George Flagg Parkway).
Family Night Is Nov. 22
If you're looking for a fun family activity Nov. 22 the Jolly Holiday Lights Family Night may be the perfect thing for you. The evening offers a 1.5 or 3.5-mile route through the display at Water Works Park. Families can walk, run, bike or skate through the park at their own pace. Family night also features contests for the best decorated or lit bicycle, the best pet costume and the best human costume. You won't want to miss out on the fun.
Family night starts at 4:30 p.m. with on-site registration, check-in and t-shirt pick-up. Starting at 5:30 you can begin your walk, bike, or skate route and take your time – the park doesn't close until 8 p.m.
Fitness Night Is Nov. 23
Like Family Night, Fitness Night offers a 1.5 or 3.5-mile route when you start at Water Works Park. If you're looking for more of a challenge you can register to start at El Bait Shop for an 11-mile route. Fitness night also starts with registration, check-in and t-shirt pick-up at 4:30 p.m. You can begin your route at 5:30 and keep going until the park closes at 8 p.m.
Register Now For A Preview Night
If you don't want to miss out, you can register now for Family Night or Fitness Night. Online registration is open until Nov. 20, but if you register before Nov. 15 the entry fee is just $5! Don't miss your chance for a great deal. After Nov. 15, the fee jumps to $10. If you miss the online registration dates, you can still register on the day of the event.
Event t-shirts are also available. You can register and get your long-sleeved Tour de Lights t-shirt for $20 when you pre-register.
Enjoy Jolly Holiday Lights All Season Long
If you can't make it to Family Night or Fitness Night, or if one night isn't enough, don't worry! Jolly Holiday Lights is open to the public from Nov. 25-Jan. 1. Each night, the light display is open from 5:30-10 p.m. and Santa's Wish Shop is open until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. When open to the public, Jolly Holiday Lights is a 3.5-mile drive-through the display. Kids also have the chance to get their picture taken with Santa and have a cookie and cocoa in the Wish Shop.
If you want to play a role in Jolly Holiday Lights you can become a volunteer. Learn more about volunteering here. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. If you're interested in sponsoring the event please contact Carol TeBockhorst at ctebockhorst@iowa.wish.org.
Support Make-A-Wish Iowa With Car Donation
Jolly Holiday Lights is a great family-friendly way to help wishes come true for kids in Iowa. If you can't attend and still are looking for a way to help, consider making a vehicle donation to Wheels For Wishes benefiting Make-A-Wish Iowa. Now is a great time to donate a car. Not only is the holiday season the perfect time to give back to your community, it is also a great time to make a charitable donation for tax purposes. If you donate online before 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31 you will be able to deduct your donation from this year's taxes.
If you're ready to make a donation, please call 1-855-278-9474 or fill out an online car donation form today. Your generous donatin will benefit Make-A-Wish Iowa, helping them to grant more wishes for children with critical illnesses. Be the reason a child smiles this holiday season and donate a car today!
