BEMIDJI — For 29 years, members of the Bemidji community and beyond have gathered downtown to watch the Night We Light parade and ceremony celebrating the holiday season’s lights turning on for the very first time.
However, following Friday evening’s parade, First City of Lights Foundation Executive Director Josh Peterson shared with a crowd gathered at Paul Bunyan Park that this year’s event, more than ever, was a celebration of the community’s resiliency.
He touched on the great impact the
severe storm that hit Bemidji on June 21
had on the community at large and how the loss of trees impacted the traditional light displays in the parks.
First City of Lights Foundation Executive Director Josh Peterson, dressed as Captain Christmas, waves to parade-goers along Beltrami Avenue during the Night We Light parade on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
“Here in Paul Bunyan Park, we lost approximately two dozen trees from our usual display,” he said. “But thanks to partnerships, some ingenuity and community support, we still managed to use almost all of the lights that we normally use.”
To fill in the gap left by lost trees behind the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues, metal-framed trees were brought in thanks to a joint sponsorship from Bemidji Woolen Mills, Century 21 Dickenson Realtors and Green Mill.
Paul Bunyan Park is illuminated with light following the Night We Light Celebration on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
In addition to the traditional displays, including Paul Bunyan Communications’ “Paul Bunyan Christmas Pixel Tree,” the tallest 360-degree Pixel tree in the Midwest, and Bemidji Steel’s “Greatest Gift,” the world’s largest digital walkthrough Pixel gift, new this year is Bemidji 7 Brew’s Paul Bunyan-sized cocoa mug, the “Cup of Cheer.”
Beverages are served from the newest addition to the First City of Lights display, Bemidji 7 Brew’s “Cup of Cheer,” on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Paul Bunyan Park.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Bringing the total to over half a million lights, spanning downtown, South Shore, Library and Paul Bunyan Parks.
“We are optimistic that by next year’s 30th anniversary, we can break the 1 million light benchmark, but that can only happen as long as we have your support,” Peterson said. “This year is not only about the lights that shine bright in Bemidji, it’s about the people in our community who shine bright as well.”
In his remarks, Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince thanked those who helped keep the event as bright as ever.
“I want to take a minute to say thanks to the Bemidji Parks and Rec Department, the First City of Lights Foundation, our festival sponsors, and all the volunteers who make this celebration an annual tradition for our community,” Prince said. “Hanging a half million lights is hard work and it’s really appreciated, especially with all the challenges we had from missing all those trees.”
Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince addresses the crowd during the Night We Light Celebration on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Paul Bunyan Park.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Prince shared how Night We Light, being situated between Thanksgiving and Christmas each year, leads him to reflect on things he’s grateful for, and how the June storm gave him even more reasons to be thankful this holiday season.
“The hope and thankfulness that we have were never more on display this year than in the wake of the storm that battered our community this last summer,” he explained. “Most of us woke up in the early hours of June 21 in the dark and to the sound of alarms, about to face days we hadn’t seen anything like.
“Daylight illuminated the millions of trees down, live power wires in the streets, gas leaks and damage to almost every property in Bemidji.”
But out of that devastation, he said, the community also witnessed a miracle.
“First, we learned that no one had lost their life despite all the devastation,” he continued. “A true miracle. And then we saw our entire community come together in a way I had never seen before.”
He recalled all the partnerships that took place between the city, county, state, power companies and community service organizations to help bring power back, clear the streets and resume essential services.
Parade-goers wave to a float as it makes its way along Beltrami Avenue during the Night We Light parade on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
“Volunteers from across the United States came to our city with supplies and chainsaws in hand. But above all else, I saw all of you helping one another,” Prince shared. “Neighbor helping neighbor with everything from clearing trees, providing rides, meals, supplies and more.
“And in a world where we’re always hearing about division, I saw unity in Bemidji with my own eyes. And that unity gives me hope, because it shows us all what is possible when we come together and decide to make a difference.”
Parade-goers wave to a float as it makes its way along Beltrami Avenue during the Night We Light parade on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
A sentiment he hoped those in attendance would carry throughout the year to come.
“As we enter this holiday season, may we continue to carry that same spirit to help, encourage and lift one another up,” he concluded. “There are things that happen in life that we can’t control. But as this past summer showed us, there’s always a lot of light in the middle of that darkness.”
Peterson also highlighted the community partnerships that emerged from the storm, particularly between Beltrami County Emergency Management, the Bemidji Fire Department, the United Way of Bemidji Area, and Community Resources Connections, which also served as joint Grand Marshals for the parade.
Beltrami County Emergency Management Director and Public Information Officer Chris Muller joins members of the United Way of Bemidji Area, Bemidji Fire Department and Community Resource Connections as Grand Marshals of the Night We Light parade on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
“These organizations led the way and shined their light in Bemidji’s darkest times,” he said. “Because of this, we are honored to have representatives from these organizations here to help us illuminate this year’s display.”
Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood, Trista Hill and Samantha Warrington from Community Resource Connections, and Beltrami County Emergency Management Director Chris Muller then joined Peterson on stage.
Before the group joined the communal countdown from 10 to hit the giant button and illuminate the park with light for the first time this season, followed by fireworks exploding over the park, Peterson left the crowd with a few final thoughts.
Josh Peterson, executive director of the First City of Lights Foundation, is joined by community agencies that served as joint Grand Marshals in the parade to illuminate downtown Bemidji on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, during the Night We Light Celebration.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
“The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Bemidji, and no storm can ever extinguish that light. Always cherish these moments, and remember how blessed we all truly are,” Peterson said. “Be the light in all you do, and carry that light and love with you through the years to come. Let’s shine the light for those in need this Christmas season, and be a really true First City of Lights.”
Peterson concluded in traditional fashion by reciting the words from the very first Night We Light Celebration many years ago.
“It is my honor to state these words that were first said at the Night We Light 29 years ago tonight, when Mayor Doug Peterson illuminated the very first display,” he said. “‘Tonight we come together to not only celebrate the season, but to celebrate life, light and the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas, everyone and may God bless this beautiful First City of Lights.’”
Community members can help fill Santa’s sleigh with non-perishable food items and toys, and give monetary donations in Santa’s Workshop in the Tourist Information Center for the annual Holiday Gifts for Kids program.
Gifts Santa’s sleigh in Santa’s Workshop in the Tourist Information Center for the annual Holiday Gifts for Kids program.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Thanks to a partnership with Otter Tail Power, those who donate this year will also receive five strands of LED Christmas lights.
To donate to the First City of Lights Foundation to help keep the festival going, visit
firstcityoflights.org.
A family takes photos in Santa’s workshop at the Tourist Information Center following the Night We Light Celebration on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Attendees gather around fire pits made by Bemidji Steel in the Paul Bunyan Park plaza following the Night We Light Celebration on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Members of the Bemidji Covenant Church float wave to parade-goers as it makes its way along Beltrami Avenue during the Night We Light parade on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Parade-goers wave to a float as it makes its way along Beltrami Avenue during the Night We Light parade on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Members of the A Legacy Miniatures float wave to parade-goers as it makes its way along Beltrami Avenue during the Night We Light parade on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
A member of the Lone Rock Farms float waves to parade-goers as it makes its way along Beltrami Avenue during the Night We Light parade on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Members of the North Country Snowmobile Club float wave to parade-goers as it makes its way along Beltrami Avenue during the Night We Light parade on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
