Holiday lights will be turned on this weekend at Ottumwa Park. Volunteers have been working diligently all month to get the lights all in place for Saturday night’s first drive-through of the 2008 Holiday Nights ‘N Lights in Ottumwa Park.

We’ve been watching their progress all along as we drive by the park. The big Christmas tree near U.S. Highway 34 is surrounded by smaller Christmas trees. And through the trees in the park, you can see the frame works of the many displays which will be lighted every night starting Saturday night.

This year’s Holiday Nights ‘N Lights runs through Jan. 2, 2009.

Hours to drive through the park to see the lights are 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The Ottumwa Courier and the Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce bring the event to southeast Iowa every year.

We have lots of other help, too, with dozens of sponsors that have been listed in our newspaper ads.

Volunteers from the sponsoring organizations help direct traffic and oversee the display each evening. The best deal to see the lights through the holiday season is to purchase a season pass for $40. That way you can drive through the display every night! Season passes are available for sale at the Chamber of Commerce, Hy-Vee North and Hy-Vee South and at Hy-Vee Drug Store.

Or, you can just show up at the gate the night you want to drive through, and pay for a night’s admission.

Profits go to support the organizations that help with the display, and to pay for the displays too, including lights, and adding to the event each year.

We hope December is kinder this year. Last year, a big, bad ice storm left at least a 1-inch coating of ice in the Ottumwa area and forced the cancellation of opening the displays for a few nights.

A little snow will make the lights shine, but it’s pretty enough to see it, snow or no snow.

For the first glimpse of Holiday Nights ‘N Lights, plan to walk the display Friday night, with proceeds going to Wapello Trails Council. The Holiday Lighted Hike will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. The start of the trail is behind Herberger’s at Quincy Place mall. The cost is $5. Wear good shoes, dress warmly and bring a flashlight. You can purchase some chili and hot chocolate, too.

It’s the holiday season, so we hope everyone enjoys the holiday display of lights.