Light show runs in Butler area through Christmas

Those looking for something safe and fun to do this holiday season still have options in the Perham area. This year, Mike and Tammy Schmidt, owners of Mike’s Lock and Key, have once again put on a light display in the Butler area about 14 miles northeast of Perham to bring Christmas cheer this holiday season.

Mike Schmidt said the display is extensive and not easy to set up so the display is not up every year. He said he believes that it has been three years since the last time the display was set up. It is a tradition that goes back over the course of about 20 years.

Part of the display is the Santa and his reindeer float, which was Mike's Lock and Key’s 2019 Parade of Lights float that won the Santa’s Choice Award.

The display is choreographed to music, that watchers can tune into on their car radios, and each cycle of the display lasts about 90 minutes, Schmidt said. The radio station frequency is posted on a sign at the display.

The display will be on from 5 to 9:15 p.m. every evening until Christmas Day. If the weather looks good, then the display will be left up a little longer, Schmidt said.

The Schmidt’s display can be found at 55533 County Highway 62, New York Mills, Schmidt said.

Schmidt said parking is limited and can only accommodate about three or four cars. He said with the help of Otter Tail County, there are extra signs to help with traffic.

1/2: The light display put on by Mike and Tammy Schmidt is choreographed to music on a 90-minute loop that lasts from 5-9:15 p.m. each evening through Christmas Day. (RosaLin Alcoser/Focus)

2/2: The Schmidt's light display, which has not been up for about three years, lights up the dark Couty Highway 62 in this dazzling display of Christmas cheer. (RosaLin Alcoser/Focus)

1/2: The light display put on by Mike and Tammy Schmidt is choreographed to music on a 90-minute loop that lasts from 5-9:15 p.m. each evening through Christmas Day. (RosaLin Alcoser/Focus)

2/2: The Schmidt's light display, which has not been up for about three years, lights up the dark Couty Highway 62 in this dazzling display of Christmas cheer. (RosaLin Alcoser/Focus)