Illuminating Hill City: Lane of Lights well received

By: 
Leslie Silverman
What began as a dream has turned into a pinnacle event for Hill City and the start of the Christmas holiday season. The Lane of Lights, a 40,000 light extravaganza along Museum Drive, was illuminated for the season with a traditional caroling event complete with cookies and hot cider.
Hill City School District choral teacher Sylvia Larson led the crowd of about 50 people in traditional carols including “Silent Night” and “Deck the Halls.”
The Grand Illumination drew residents old and new, and visitors too. Alicia Garcia, her husband and five children just moved to Hill City. The family visited the Black Hills in 2019 and fell in love with the small community feel. After traveling in the Pacific Northwest the family settled down in Hill City and is taking advantage of all the town has to offer, including becoming gym members and attending the Veterans Day assembly at the school. The family enjoys the tight knit community of Hill City.
George and Genia Magana from Monument, Colo., were visiting town to cross Mount Rushmore National Memorial off their bucket list. The couple and their three children ate at the Hill City Café, where they learned about the Grand Illumination and Lane of Lights.
“All the people are so friendly here,” said Genia, who loved the hometown feel of Hill City. 
This is the second year of the Lane of Lights. It began as a way to “cheer everyone up” post COVID-19, said Carl Doaty, who is affectionately referred to as the Clark Griswold of Hill City. Doaty estimates last year there were 25,000 lights. He hopes to grow the event to 100,000 lights for 2022.
“It brings everyone into the holiday spirit. It gives families something to do. And it’s another opportunity for outside community members to come to Hill City and enjoy the establishments that stay open,” Doaty said. 
Doaty hopes businesses will come to decorate an area and consider sponsorship or donations to help the event grow even larger. Doaty estimates over 70 hours of work were put into creating the display and decorating Main Street. 
The Lane of Lights offers something for everyone. Trains, Snoopy and even Smokey are lit up to create a festive, fun-filled stroll. The lights turn on via sensors around 6 p.m. and stay lit until 10 p.m. The display will continue nightly through New Year’s Eve.
“We hope to be the go-to holiday attraction in the Black Hills,” Doaty said.

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