Potawatomi Wildlife Park Hosts 3rd Annual Luminaria Hike and Wagon Ride

Potawatomi Wildlife Park welcomed visitors to its 3rd Annual Luminaria Hike and Wagon Ride, a unique winter event created from the park manager’s passion for encouraging people to connect with nature—even in the cold and darkness of winter—and to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas without the typical holiday distractions.

The evening commenced at Bessinger Pavilion, where attendees checked in and began their journey along a luminaria-lit trail. The first stop featured a live nativity scene, offering a heartfelt reminder of the season’s significance. Guests continued along another illuminated path through the serene woods, arriving at Boots Cabin. They listened to the Gospel of Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth inside the cozy, wood-burning stove-heated cabin. The journey proceeded along another luminaria-lit trail to the observation field. Here, participants experienced the story of Jesus’ birth as shared in the Gospel of Matthew. The final stretch of the nearly one-mile walk led to the visitor center, where families were welcomed with a variety of festive activities. They posed for a commemorative family photo, enjoyed live piano music performed by Evelyn Stichter’s talented students, sipped on hot chocolate and savored cookies generously sponsored by the Bourbon Volunteer Fire Department, and crafted their own Christmas tree ornaments. The evening concluded with a delightful wagon ride back to attendees' vehicles, leaving them with cherished memories and the spirit of holiday joy.

Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, the park provided four UTVs to transport visitors unable to walk the trails due to age, disability, young children, or personal preference. This commitment to accessibility reflects Potawatomi Wildlife Park’s passion for ensuring that nature and its events are welcoming to everyone.

This beloved event was made possible by the collaborative efforts of our incredible partners:

• Etna Green Community Church, whose volunteers brought light and joy to each station.
• 2nd District FFA, whose members provided invaluable support throughout the evening.
• Bourbon Volunteer Fire Department, for their generous sponsorship of cookies.
• Marshall County Blueberry Festival, for kindly lending a tram to ensure smooth transportation.
• Potawatomi Wildlife Park Board and staff, for their dedication to planning and hosting a magical evening.

This year’s event saw over 280 attendees enjoy the enchanting luminaria-lit trails and wagon rides before the rain arrived about an hour into the evening. While the weather may have discouraged some, a few resilient guests embraced the rain, proving that there’s no such thing as bad weather. The Luminaria Hike and Wagon Ride has grown in popularity since its inception. The first year welcomed over 250 attendees, the second year drew more than 450, and for this third year, they’d prepared to accommodate up to 600 guests, but we heard the rain discouraged many.

Potawatomi Wildlife Park is already looking forward to the 2025 Luminaria Hike and Wagon Ride. We invite everyone to mark their calendars and stay tuned to our event page for updates on this and other exciting activities planned for the coming year.

For more information, visit our website at https://potawatomiwildlifepark.com/events.

To see more pictures from the event check out their Facebook page.