Omahas Holiday Lights Festival celebrates 25th anniversary [Video]

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – The Holiday Lights Festival kicks off the most wonderful time of the year.

Its an annual tradition that started 25 years ago to celebrate a different milestone.

“Started in 1999 to celebrate the new millennium,” said Event Coordinator Maggie Winton. “Here we are 25 years later brining in the holiday spirit.”

The festival might be in its mid-twenties but it’s only the third time its ever been held at the Riverfront, and the second year in a row that it started on ‘Small Business Saturday’.

“We are thrilled, ecstatic, endeared that our community responds by coming down and participating every year,” explained Kristyna Engdehl, Vice President of Communications with MECA. “Even if it’s a little bit cold, even if its a little bit snowy, we know that families in Omaha are not going to miss the chance top start the count down to the holiday season with us.”

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and all in attendance helped countdown as over 200 …