Bentleyville in Duluth reopened after the recent winter storm damaged parts of the popular “tour of lights” attraction.
“It’s a Thanksgiving miracle!” Bentleyville announced on social media Thursday when it welcomed guests back that evening.
The storm dropped more than 10 inches of snow and carried wind gusts up to 61 miles per hour that tipped over portable bathrooms, damaged a gift shop roof and knocked over displays and other decorations. Bentleyville executive director Nathan Bentley told the Minnesota Star Tribune that continuing high winds off Lake Superior on Wednesday made it impossible to begin repairs.
Canceling a night “is one of the last things we like to even do,” Bentley had said. Weather caused a closure in 2022, and similar damage in 2020.
Volunteers spent the holiday working so it could reopen Thanksgiving night and carry on the tradition that nearly 300,000 people took part in last holiday season.
For nearly two decades, the free light display tour has doled out complimentary cookies, cocoa and signature winter hats.
Bentleyville started in 2001 at Bentley’s homes in Esko and Cloquet before moving to Bayfront Festival Park 17 years ago.
The holiday light display is open through Dec. 27 from 5-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays it’s open until 10 p.m.
