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Mt. Pleasant Festival of Lights returns to Old Threshers
The return of a beloved winter tradition
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MT. PLEASANT - Mt. Pleasant’s Festival of Lights premiered this past weekend to great fanfare.
Many families came to the Old Threshers’ campground. Rather than driving through, the public walked the grounds. There were additional attractions too; guests could ride the trolleys of the Midwest Electric Railway, circling the route. They could also visit the Log Village, where guests sampled cookies and cider. Kerosene lamps flickered, a string band sang and caroled, and girls in 1840’s costume strung popcorn garlands.
The final event in the Old Threshers’ 2025 calendar, these events are the work of many hands. Events like this take many hours of dedication from legions of unpaid volunteers. They are young and old, from wide backgrounds, united by their love of the festival and their interest in the community.
Only 10 years old, Gabe Conner is a conductor at the Midwest Electric. For 30 years, his family has volunteered with Old Threshers. And now, he is the latest in that line to throw his hat in with the museum..
”I conduct the trolley,” Conner said, ”I make sure people are safe, and I help people on. I have a bell to ring to let the motorman know when to go and stop. I just like to get to meet the people.”
At 14, Kylan Parrish is a man about town. Previously playing Dr. Neff in Mt. Pleasant High’s production of Radium Girls, he finds himself volunteering with the Festival of Lights. This is not his first foray, either.
“I had a couple of friends tell me about these things,” Parrish said, “They asked me if I wanted to do it, I said, ‘sure’ ... I’m here to make sure people don’t get stuck on the tracks, or go out of bounds to take pictures. It keeps me entertained.”
If you missed last weekend’s festivities and still want to see the displays, don’t worry. Although the trolleys and log village are closed for the season, the displays will be up until New Year’s Eve. Starting Nov. 26, the grounds will be open to cars from 5:30-9 p.m. Admission is $10 per family vehicle, $25 per limo, $30 per 30-passenger coach, and $60 per 60-passenger bus.
On the west side of the grounds, the Midwest Central Railroad’s North Pole Express will run for the first three weekends in December.
Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com
