The Long Way Home 12.5.25
The Bohunk finally convinced me to go with her to Bentleyville, the winter attraction in Duluth. Bentleyville is known as America's largest free walk-through light display, emphasizing the importance of local traditions during the holidays. The tradition started with a guy named Nathan Bentley decorating his home in Esko, MN, part of a friendly competition to put up more lights than his neighbor. In 2008, Duluth Mayor Don Ness called Bentley to propose moving the light display to Bayfront Festival Park on the shores of Lake Superior. The "Tour of Lights" lit up Bayfront Park for the first time on November 27, 2009. I enjoy a healthy dislike of crowds and the depressing financial cost of popular public events. I was convinced to give this display of holiday lights a chance. The only expense we’d incur is $10 for parking. No entry fee, free coffee and cookie, along with complimentary popcorn and marshmallows for S’mores, to be warmed over a dozen or more wood fires on the ...