How To Help Bentleyville Tour Of Lights Get Ready For 2025 Season

It seems like summer is just ending (because, well, it is), but we're already talking a little about wintertime in the Northland.

Don't get me wrong, I am not wishing away the fall season that is just getting started. I'm looking forward to the incredible autumn colors Northern Minnesota enjoys, but shortly after that season ends, another fun one gets going.

I'm talking, of course, about the Bentleyile Tour of Lights at Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park. While the event doesn't start until the end of November, it takes a lot of time and effort to get everything prepared at Bayfront.

That's where you come in.

Nathan Bentley and his elves are putting out a call for help from the public to get ready for the 2025 Bentleyville holiday season. As they do each year, they rely on volunteers to complete the setup at Bayfront. They usually start the process right after the annual Duluth Oktoberfestival wraps up for the season.

Bentleyville's social media posted a call for help today (September 4), and their website has a pop-up that directs interested users to a volunteering page specifically for this year's setup.

If you'd like to help, here's what you need to know and when they need help:

What to know if you want to help Bentleyville with setup

Event organizers ask that volunteers be at least 16 years old or attend with a parent/guardian. They say all skill levels are welcome to help, with Bentleyville team leaders offering guidance on all of the setup projects.

They need help on Saturdays and Sundays starting September 20. Hours during these setup weekends when they need help are from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Lunch is provided for volunteers for weekend setup dates.

Get our free mobile app

In addition, they need help on Wednesdays from 5 pm to 8 pm starting on September 24.

Tasks that need to be completed include assembling displays, painting, store setup and stocking, building tunnels, moving steel, and untangling/organizing lights.

If you're interested in volunteering, you can get more basic details and sign up to help on the Bentleyville volunteer setup page on their website.