Holiday Musical Lightshow First of Its Kind in Michigan Benefits Mercy Hospital Grayling

Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the first-ever “Light Up the North” festival at the Garland Lodge and Resort in Lewiston, proceeds benefit local hospital.

LEWISTON, Mich. – The little town of Lewiston is about to become the biggest – and brightest - winter attraction in Michigan.

Beginning Friday, November 27, Garland Lodge and Resort will turn on its first-ever “Light Up the North” seasonal light show that features more than 189 lighted displays, two-thirds of which are animated to music.

Co-sponsored by Mercy Hospital Grayling and other area businesses, the show is not only a way to celebrate the crystalline winter nights northern Michigan is known for, but also to “get our community outside and active” during the cold winter months, said Stephanie Riemer-Matuzak, CEO of Mercy Hospital Grayling.

“So many of us love staying inside during these winter months, but we want to encourage our friends and neighbors to take advantage of winter’s beauty, too,” she said. “Our partnership with Garland Lodge and Resort dovetails perfectly with a healthy winter mindset. Garland is a four season resort that offers both local residents and visitors a host of healthy winter activities.”

A portion of the proceeds from the light show will benefit the non-profit hospital’s ongoing $6 million outpatient services renovation, which brought cutting edge technology to Mercy Grayling.

Visitors to the resort can either drive through the lighted pathway or reserve a horse-drawn sleigh. Families can make a day or even weekend of it by ice skating, cross country skiing, or snowshoeing at the resort, then taking in the thousands of twinkling LED lights. The light show includes

• The 50’x20’ Snowflakes Lights Ballet, choreographed to music every 30 minutes
• An igloo and ski haus
• Playful penguins and a toy duck
• Spiraling snowflakes
• Snowmen and Old Man Winter
• Flying eagles and a moose
• Santa with his reindeer team

“With some displays more than two stories high, we know that families from all over the Midwest will be enchanted with ‘Light Up the North,’” said Barry Owens, president of Garland Lodge and Resort. “And the fact that the proceeds go directly to critical health care services at Mercy Grayling makes this event even more special to us.”

After the tour, guests are welcome to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, coffee or tea on the outdoor patio, keeping warm by the roaring fire and listening to the sounds of the season.

Admission to the light show will be $13 per car. Coupons for $3 off will be available through various media partners. Lodging packages will start at $55 per person plus taxes and resort fees. This year, all winter packages will include admission to the light show.

For more information visit www.garlandusa.com or call 989-786-2211.