Submitted Photo Last year’s “Light Up the Scandinavian Heritage Park” event featured Christmas caroling youth and volunteers who brought some festive cheer to the park celebration.

The Scandinavian Heritage Park is hosting its second annual lighting ceremony this Saturday from 5:30-8 p.m. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

The Scandinavian Heritage Park has donned enchanting lights during the winter season for nearly a quarter of a century. Last year, however, was the first year a lighting ceremony event was held at the park as a public celebration.

“When we started it last year, it was such a great event and we had a lot of people in attendance,” said Sue Weston, treasurer of the Scandinavian Heritage Association. “It turned out so well that we plan on doing this celebration every November to light up the park.”

Last year Santa made a guest appearance and even sat on his chair to visit with the children in attendance and listen to their wishes. This year Santa is returning and is rolling up to the event in style with the Minot Air Force Base’s 91st Missile Wing.

Kevin Burckhard, who has been active with Norsk Hostfest, will be reprising his role as one of Minot’s most iconic Kris Kringles.

“He’s done this character at several other local events also,” Weston said. “He’s just a jolly guy.”

Children also can expect to run into the Grinch at the event. There will be other fun and festive characters wandering the park as well, thanks to iMagicon staff and volunteers.

“First we light up the park, then the kids walk the paths through the park and there’s a character at the different structures we have,” Weston said. “That way they have something to see at each stop.”

This year the park will be lit up more than ever, thanks to some newly completed electrical work and new LED lighting installations.

“We did some work this fall to improve the electrical systems in the park so that we can light up more of it,” Weston said. “So there’s actually going to be more light.”

The lights for the event were installed last week by Scandinavian Heritage Association volunteers and Minot Park District employees. The countdown to turn on the lights is expected to begin around 6 p.m.

“This year, I think it’ll be even better,” Weston said.

There will also be free goodie bags provided to children at the event while supplies last.

“Last year we had about 120 bags and ran out, so we more than doubled it this year to try and make sure we got every child,” Weston said. The 300 goodie bags are filled with candy canes and other assorted goodies and candies.

Participants also can purchase hot beverages such as coffee, apple cider, hot chocolate and chai tea at the event.