Merrill's Holiday Lights Are Being Sponsored One Name at a Time

"As a child, I remember ... lights all over the city, including a large arch in the Sixth Ward," Mayor Steve Hass told Merrill Foto News in September. He said that while talking about a program that changes who pays for Merrill's holiday decorations. For most of their history they were a city purchase. Starting this season, each new light on a Merrill pole is paid for by someone who chose to put a name behind it.

The program is called Christmas of the Past, and the City of Merrill and the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce run it together. The first full weekend of December puts the Winter Wonderland, the Very Merrill Christmas Parade and the courthouse tree lighting on back-to-back days, in the same season the first sponsored lights are set to begin appearing.

How Merrill paid for its holiday lights over the years

Merrill has funded its holiday decorations three different ways. According to the Merrill Area Chamber's foundation page, the city used to rent lights, and they were installed around town in late November. In 2010 the city bought its own set of LED snowflake lights from a Minnesota company to save money over renting.

Those snowflakes were rated for about 10 years when they were bought. Merrill has used them for five years past that, and Merrill Foto News reported that they now show "significant wear." About 100 of them are still on poles around the city.

Under the new program, residents, former residents and civic groups buy the replacement lights in honor or in memory of someone, often a person who made Christmas special for them. Mayor Hass and Alderman Michael "Gus" Caylor started talks with the Chamber more than a year before the September launch. Hass described the goal as having the city "show more of the holiday spirit without it being a burden on the taxpayers," according to the same Foto News report.

That arrangement also means the number of lights that go up depends on how many people sponsor one.

What sponsoring a light costs

The Chamber's contribution form offers six light designs at these prices:

The form also accepts donations of other amounts, so households can contribute without paying for a whole light. Merrill Foto News reported that donations are tax deductible through the Chamber's 501(c)(3) status. This post is general information, not tax advice, so check with your own tax professional about how a gift applies to your return.

The supplier, the same Minnesota company, offers a rebate on larger bulk orders. That rebate could pay for more lights, so each sponsorship can stretch a little further than its own fixture.

Every light gets a number

Sponsors can't pick where their light goes. The city assigns each decoration a number instead and plans to post a map on social media every year showing where each memorial or honorary light hangs. A family that sponsors a light for a grandparent will be able to find that pole on the map, even if it isn't on their own block.

The city planned to start installing sponsored lights in November 2026 and keep adding more as donations come in. The City of Merrill's homepage says the new displays "will begin appearing throughout Merrill this holiday season." Lights will keep going up as long as donations keep coming in, so this season's lights are the first round.

Hass and Caylor have a bigger goal too. They hope to raise enough, possibly through corporate sponsorships, to bring back some of the historic arches that used to decorate the city, like the one Hass remembers in the Sixth Ward. Donation forms and the light designs are on the Chamber's foundation page.

The weekend of Dec. 4 and 5

These are the city and Chamber events on the first full weekend of December, all from the City of Merrill's Fall/Winter Activity Guide and the Merrill Area Chamber's parade page.

Friday, Dec. 4, 5 to 7 p.m. Winter Wonderland at the AGRA Pavilion, 404 S. Park St. Merrill Parks and Recreation and several local businesses host Santa inside the pavilion. There will be food, cookies, hot cocoa and a craft while supplies last, plus a bonfire if the weather allows.

Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sensory-friendly Santa visits at the AGRA Pavilion. Families of children with sensory needs can book a 15-minute slot for a photo and a treat in a quieter setting. The guide lists the rules as "No walk ins. No lines. No crowds." Booking is through the city's online registration catalog.

Saturday, Dec. 5, 5 p.m. The 36th Annual Very Merrill Christmas Parade. The parade starts at S. Genesee Street and W. Main Street and ends at the Lincoln County Courthouse, where the tree lighting follows.

After the tree lighting. New this year. Santa goes to Johnson's to hear children's Christmas wishes. Hot chocolate will be served, and families can take a photo with Santa for a small donation. Parade floats park in the lot at the end of River Street, where businesses and organizations hand out candy, cookies and giveaways. A float competition is also planned, with rules and classes to be announced.

In past years the evening ended at the courthouse tree. The new stops at Johnson's and River Street keep it going downtown afterward, in the same season the sponsored lights are set to start appearing.

Why the parade rules matter at the curb

Several Chamber parade rules shape what people see from the sidewalk. Every entry has to be motorized, and no walking units are allowed. Every entry has to light up. Only one live Santa appears, the Chamber's, so young children aren't confused.

Nothing can be thrown from moving entries, for liability reasons. That's why the giveaways happen at the parked floats on River Street instead of along the route. Entries with horses need to give the Chamber proof of liability insurance. Businesses can put their name on a float but are asked not to add sales, specials or discount signs.

The Chamber also says the parade needs at least 20 floats to go ahead, and that S. Genesee Street "gets narrow" when there's snow on the ground. Lineup spots are first come, first served. Businesses, clubs, schools, churches and other organizations can enter, and completed registration forms go to [email protected] in late November. The parade page has the printable form and the current deadline.

After the parade weekend

The holiday events continue at the Smith Center, 1100 Marc Dr. On Dec. 17 from 9:30 to 10:30, Merrill Parks and Recreation holds a Christmas Time Music Party for ages 2 to 5, with songs, games, crafts and a treat. It costs $5 per child, and pre-registration is required. The Smith Center also hosts open skate, mostly on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons, according to the city's guide.

As the sponsored lights go up, the city plans to post the numbered map on social media showing where each memorial and honorary light hangs.

At Joleta Sells Homes, we love seeing Merrill neighbors come out for the parade, and we're happy to talk about your Merrill home whenever you're ready. If a new light goes up on your street this season and you've been wondering what your home is worth, start with a free home valuation. Guiding You Home.