Since 1994 Lewiston’s Locomotive Park has been a symbol of holiday spirit in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. What started with 12 decorated trees and a locomotive at Lewiston’s northern entrance has grown to thousands of strings of lights hung each year by volunteers for the nonprofit organization Winter Spirit. Visiting the park has become an annual tradition for countless families (seasonal hours can be found below). Before Saturday’s lighting ceremony, Inland 360 takes a numerical look at the popular attraction. One number that can’t be calculated is the number of smiles the park has induced.
19: Number of years Winter Spirit has transformed Locomotive Park
More than 500,000: Number of lights
3: Power transformers blown out before an electrical system renovation in 2002
6: Weekends volunteers decorate
8: Days red shirts from the North Idaho Correctional Institution spent decorating tree tops
107: Trees connected to power sources
25-30: Percent of lights replaced each year
1: Gas fireplace
82: Number of Christmas songs playing on the outdoor dance floor
90: Percent of LED lights
80-90: Percent drop in power bill since Winter Spirit started using LEDs in 2006
15: Dancing penguins
3: Heated benches
More than 1,500: Average number of visitors on opening night
200-300: Average number of visitors on a weekend night
11-28: The busiest day at the park every year.
0: Number of grants
$17,000: Donations from businesses and individuals for 2013
if you go What: Winter Spirit annual Holiday Tree Lighting When: 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 Lighting at 6 p.m. Where: Locomotive Park, Lewiston Cost: Free
Seasonal hours The park will be lit each night through Jan. 3 from: • 4:30 to 10 p.m. Sundays • 4:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday • 4:30 to midnight Thursday, Friday, Saturday • The fireplace comes on at 5:30 each night
