[0:00] [Music] [0:18] Good evening everyone. Happy [0:20] Thanksgiving. [0:21] [Music] [0:24] >> Welcome to the Burnsville Community [0:25] Foundation's 27th annual lighting [0:28] ceremony. We're moments away from [0:30] lighting up the heart of the city with [0:32] more than 200,000 mini lights and 230 [0:35] snowflakes. [0:37] Welcome back again to Nicollet Commons [0:39] Plaza tonight and I actually can't wait [0:41] to share with you. We've got a new [0:42] lighting scheme in the park, so stay [0:45] tuned. It'll be coming shortly. [0:47] I'm Brady Folkstead, president of the [0:49] Burnsville Community Foundation. The [0:51] Burnsville Community Foundation is an [0:52] all volunteer nonprofit organization [0:55] providing art and amenities to the city [0:56] of Burnsville. This winter lighting is [0:59] just one of our many projects. [1:01] In addition to the winter lighting, the [1:03] foundation is responsible for many of [1:05] the beautiful amenities you see across [1:07] the city, including many pieces of [1:08] artwork in this very park. Our our [1:12] mission is [1:14] connecting, honoring, and illuminating [1:16] our community through art and amenities. [1:18] An event such as this in conjunction [1:20] with the city of Burnsville showcase so [1:22] much of this mission in one night. We [1:24] love bringing beauty to our city and [1:26] honor great partners as they throw the [1:28] switch. [1:30] Now, on behalf of the entire Burnsville [1:31] Community Foundation board of directors, [1:34] I'd also like to welcome Santa to this [1:37] this night's [1:40] kids. If you haven't seen him, thank [1:42] him. Stop over. Make sure you got your [1:45] list. [1:47] Santa is sponsored by Mark Heatherington [1:49] and his wife Kim is there unable to join [1:51] us as he is out in the Northwoods, but [1:54] he made sure to send Santa with us. So, [1:56] we thank him very much. [1:59] And with that, let's welcome to our to [2:02] the stage our first group, Burnsville [2:04] Freestyle Singers, under the direction [2:06] of Emily Nar Field to usher in the [2:08] holiday spirit. [2:11] [Music] [2:17] Deta [2:29] [Music] [2:39] he is going to have a bag of crazy toys [2:44] of the girls and boy. So dude [2:49] comes on big. [2:56] [Music] [3:09] He'll come flying from a higher place. [3:13] Oh yeah. I feel the stockings by the [3:15] fire. [3:21] That's cool. But I [3:25] heal. [3:29] [Applause] [3:31] [Music] [3:51] [Applause] [4:02] [Applause] [4:10] [Music] [4:14] A chill in the air. The trees are nearly [4:17] bare. The leaves are falling. Winter's [4:20] calling us to stop and stare [4:22] >> when [4:25] the trees [4:28] draw near. Wouldn't you agree that each [4:31] new day we've grown amidst the highs and [4:34] lows that shape us into who we want to [4:37] be? We're singing songs we always sing [4:41] for the joy that it can bring. Wishing [4:44] boundless love and lasting peace. [4:50] [Music] [4:55] in the air. There's magic everywhere. [4:58] The stars are shining. All the lighting [5:01] in the space we share on this night. Our [5:05] hearts are full of warm embraces, [5:08] friendly faces. Everything's just right. [5:11] Each day we've grown amidst the high [5:16] [Music] [5:20] songs we always sing that it can bring [5:25] this love and lasting [5:34] [Music] [5:35] silence is the sound [5:40] upon the ground. [5:44] Take a step here. [5:48] Let yourself be found. [5:53] >> For each new day amidst the highs and [5:56] lows that shape us into who we want to [5:59] be. [6:02] >> We always sing for the joy that it can [6:05] bring [6:06] love and lasting peace. [6:10] Peace. [6:13] [Music] [6:17] Peace. [6:22] [Applause] [6:26] >> Thank you so much. Freestyle singers. [6:30] [Applause] [6:36] And now the Burnsville Swing team [6:38] coached by Michaela Huard will be [6:40] bringing us a performance of Valerie. [6:43] >> Welcome Burnsville Swing. [6:47] >> Hi. [6:48] >> I'm sorry. I was having too much fun. [6:56] [Music] [6:59] Well, I [7:03] look across the water [7:08] and I think of all the things what you [7:10] doing and in my head I [7:13] [Music] [7:17] just come home. Well, my body's [7:20] gentlemen and I miss your tender hair [7:24] and the way you like dress. I want to [7:27] come on over and stop making a fool out [7:31] of me. [7:33] Why don't you val [7:38] [Music] [7:44] [Applause] [7:46] [Music] [7:49] [Applause] [7:52] [Music] [7:56] your house up for sale? Did you get a [7:58] good lawyer? [8:02] Hope your dinner captain. Hope you found [8:05] the right man on it for you. [8:11] Are you shopping anywhere? Change the [8:14] color of your hair. I am busy. [8:20] Did you have to pay that fine? You was [8:23] ding all the time. You used to be [8:27] [Music] [8:30] since I come home. Well, my body [8:34] and I miss your daily hair and the way [8:37] you like dance. [8:39] Won't you come on over? [8:42] Stop making a fool out of me. [8:46] Why don't you come over? [8:48] [Applause] [8:49] [Music] [8:52] [Applause] [8:55] Why? [8:57] [Applause] [8:59] [Music] [9:07] Excellent. Thank you so much, Burnsville [9:10] Swing. [9:11] And now I'd like to welcome to the stage [9:13] the Youth Dance Ensemble. Youth Dance [9:16] Ensemble is a nonprofit arts [9:17] organization which seeks to enrich the [9:20] residents of the South Metro with dance [9:21] in many forms. Uh today they'll be [9:24] forming their with the repertoire [9:26] ensemble directed by Dixie Ramo and [9:29] we'll be performing Holiday and [9:31] immediately following that little Jack [9:34] Frost. [9:36] >> Can you turn it up? Turn it up just a [9:37] little bit. [9:38] >> It's a cation. [9:42] Get ready for the holidays. [9:45] Yeah, it's a cation. [9:49] So baby, don't you stop. [9:54] You got that look in your eyes. Call me [9:58] for help. We can buy. Let's have the [10:02] time of our lives. You can feel it. You [10:06] can feel it. [10:08] Even if the day is alone, you deserve a [10:13] chance. [10:15] Cuz you've been working way too long. No [10:18] more. [10:20] Baby, listen. It's a celebration. [10:25] Be ready for the holidays. [10:29] It is a celebration. [10:32] So, baby, don't you [10:37] [Music] [10:40] holiday. [10:43] [Music] [10:53] world. [11:13] Oh. [11:17] [Music] [11:39] [Music] [11:54] Little Jack Frost, get lost. Get lost. [11:58] >> Little Jack Frost, get lost. [12:01] >> You know you don't do a thing but put [12:03] the bite on my toes. [12:05] >> Freeze up the ground and take the bloom [12:07] from the rose. said, "Jack Frost, go [12:10] away. Go away. Don't you come back [12:14] another day. [12:16] >> There's lots of cold feet. All the [12:18] lovers complain. You turned off the heat [12:21] down in lover's lane. [12:24] >> The bench in the park is all alone in [12:26] the dark. So little Jack Frost, get [12:29] lost. Get lost. Little Jack Frost get [12:33] lost. [12:34] [Music] [13:05] little. Jack Frost, get lost. Get lost. [13:09] >> Little Jack Frost, get lost. [13:12] >> You know you don't do a thing but put [13:15] the bite on my toe. [13:17] >> Freeze up the brim and take the bloom [13:19] from the road. [13:21] >> Little Jackie, go far away. [13:24] >> And don't you come back another day. [13:28] >> There's like a poke. All the lovers [13:30] complain. You turn off the heat down in [13:34] lover's lane. [13:36] >> The bench park is all alone in the dark. [13:39] So little Jack Frost, get lost. Get [13:42] lost. Little Jack Frost, get lost. [13:47] [Music] [13:49] Right along [13:53] the road [13:56] Jack [14:02] get lost. [14:04] [Applause] [14:06] Little Jack Frost get lost. [14:11] >> Thank you so much you dance ensemble. [14:14] And I don't know if any but of you felt [14:16] like you were cold, but if uh they can [14:19] dance in that uh you're plenty warm [14:22] enough. If you want to catch more [14:23] dancing here in Burnsville, uh December [14:26] 13th at 10 a.m. the Morazz Center at [14:28] Burnsville High School. Burnsville [14:30] community is invited. It's a pay as you [14:31] are able event and it includes a lot of [14:33] children's activities following the [14:35] performance including some time on stage [14:37] with the dancers, photo opportunities, [14:39] and Q&A. So definitely check that out. [14:44] Now is a great time to thank our [14:46] wonderful sponsors. The people of [14:48] Burnsville and the businesses of [14:49] Burnsville are huge in supporting the [14:51] winter lighting and all of our lights in [14:53] the heart of the city. A special thanks [14:55] goes to Original Pancake House, [14:58] Chick-fil-A, Burnsville Faith Family [15:00] Church, St. James Church, Cub Foods for [15:03] their support for this wonderful event [15:05] tonight and they are here. Thank you [15:07] very much. [15:12] >> Also, with the city of Burnsville, [15:14] there's countless people that helped [15:16] make this lighting a huge success. A [15:18] sincere thank you to city staff, [15:21] especially Jay Golden, Chad Lindström, [15:23] Garrett Beck, Mark Ray, our police [15:25] department. Thank you for being here. [15:26] Fire department as well. And and and [15:29] another thank you to the Burnsville [15:30] Community Foundation volunteers and [15:33] board members. We appreciate you all [15:35] very much. Thank you for bringing this [15:36] for us. And now with that, I'd like to [15:39] welcome to the stage our mayor, [15:42] Elizabeth Couts, to say a few words. [15:46] >> Good evening, everybody. And I'd like to [15:48] uh thank you all for being here tonight. [15:52] And before we do that, I'd like to ask [15:54] the members of the uh uh our council [15:58] members to come and join me up here on [16:00] stage and members of our staff. I know [16:02] that I saw our city manager, [16:05] uh, Greg Lindberg, and I also saw a [16:09] deputy chief, police chief, uh, Matt [16:13] Smith. [16:14] Uh, let's see, [16:17] Mr. Lindberg. Who else is Chief BJ [16:21] Youngman here? He's [16:22] >> here somewhere, mayor. [16:22] >> Yeah. Oh, and I see uh Chief Tanya [16:26] Schwarz [16:28] and our CFO and deputy city manager [16:32] Jenny [16:34] >> of Garrett, everybody. So, [16:37] uh good evening friends and neighbors [16:42] tonight. You see all of the people here [16:44] that we serve you [16:46] and on behalf of myself, [16:49] council members, and our Burnsville city [16:53] staff, welcome everyone. [16:56] First, thank you to Brady and the board [16:59] of the community foundation for the [17:01] strong partnership. It is also my [17:04] pleasure to acknowledge, so Brady [17:07] acknowledged a lot of the staff members [17:09] who helped work together with our [17:11] Burnsville Community Foundation and [17:13] volunteers to bring this event here. But [17:16] I also want to highlight and acknowledge [17:18] our public works director Mark Ray and [17:21] his team for working with our contractor [17:24] to install and maintain the winter [17:26] lights throughout the season. Their [17:29] dedication and pride, their work make [17:32] the heart of the city glow each season. [17:36] Tonight we gather in a spirit of [17:39] tradition, community, and gratitude. [17:43] On on this Thanksgiving eve, we pause to [17:47] reflect on the blessings we share and [17:50] the joy of coming together. [17:54] Thanksgiving reminds us to be thankful [17:57] not only for what we have but for the [18:01] people who surround us, the community [18:04] that supports us and the opportunities [18:08] to grow together. [18:10] Gratitude is more than a feeling. It is [18:14] a way of living [18:17] that shapes how we treat one another. [18:22] On sharing our gifts, as we prepare to [18:26] illuminate our city, let us remember [18:29] that each of us carries a light within. [18:33] Some light shines through kindness, [18:37] others through generosity, [18:40] creativity or service. [18:43] When we share those gifts, we brighten [18:47] the lights of others. Together, we [18:50] create something far greater than [18:53] ourselves. [18:56] Tonight, [18:58] lighting is more than a decoration. [19:02] It is a symbol of hope, [19:04] joy, and unity. Just as these lights [19:09] will shine across our streets, so too [19:12] can our gratitude and generosity shine [19:16] across our community. [19:18] May this season remind us that even the [19:20] smallest [19:22] spark can bring warmth, comfort to [19:25] everyone that's in need. [19:29] So as we countdown to the moment when [19:31] our city glows with holiday lights, let [19:34] us also commit to carrying that light in [19:37] our hearts. [19:39] May we be thankful for what we have, [19:42] mindful of those who need our care and [19:46] inspire to share the gifts of [19:48] generosity. [19:50] Together we illuminate not only our city [19:53] but the spirit of the season. We are [19:57] Burnsville, a vibrant city, boldly [20:00] leading and welcoming to all. Happy [20:04] Thanksgiving everybody. [20:07] And now I'd also like to welcome to the [20:09] stage longtime residents and business [20:13] people to the city of Burnsville, [20:15] Michael and Shirley Ash to be our switch [20:18] throwers this evening. [20:24] >> As they come up here, I'd actually just [20:26] like to say I'm so happy that you guys [20:28] were able to make it this year. I know [20:30] for so many years you weren't able to. [20:33] So, thank you very much. [20:37] that you didn't have to send Santa this [20:38] year in your absence. [20:40] Michael and Shirley, you've been dear [20:42] friends not only to me and the [20:43] foundation, but also for so many in the [20:45] city of Burnsville, successfully growing [20:47] and starting two businesses here, [20:50] operating them with passion, heart, and [20:52] kindness. [20:54] You were honored with multiplea on [20:56] multiple occasions for your business [20:58] operations for not only how you did in [21:00] your business, but how you cared for [21:02] your employees and the community. [21:05] Additionally, both of you like to have [21:06] fun and for many years hosted events um [21:10] supporting the local food shelves and [21:12] 360 communities or even back in the [21:14] community action council days to make [21:16] Christmas brighter for more of those in [21:18] our community in need. I'm certain [21:20] countless people that you helped that [21:22] they didn't even know um over the years [21:24] are also with us today as well. So [21:27] truly, thank you both for showing [21:29] kindness and generosity to the city of [21:31] Burnsville, helping out, volunteering on [21:34] so many commissions and committees and [21:37] all of the activities we have here, as [21:39] well as supporting the foundation with [21:41] both your time and treasure. Thank you [21:43] both so much. Thank you for being with [21:46] us tonight. [21:47] [Music] [21:47] [Applause] [21:48] [Music] [21:51] On behalf of the Burnsville Community [21:52] Foundation, we are honored to have you [21:56] two with us to throw the switch. [21:59] All right, everybody. I think this is [22:01] exactly why you came tonight. If you [22:04] could help me count down as we throw the [22:07] switch and illuminate this park in the [22:09] heart of the city. Join with me now. 10 [22:14] 9 [22:15] >> 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 [22:24] [Applause] [22:25] [Music] [22:32] >> Hey, the community we live in and the [22:34] pleasure we have to live here is in [22:36] large part created by the dynamic of our [22:38] business community as we seek as we seek [22:40] to keep each other safe, happy, Enjoy [22:42] us. Remember those community builders [22:44] and all that they do. Please enjoy the [22:47] music. Please enjoy the lights this [22:49] evening. Um and please thank all of our [22:52] sponsors as you go about your shopping [22:53] this Christmas season. Thank you all for [22:56] being here. Happy Thanksgiving and merry [22:58] Christmas. [22:59] [Applause] [23:10] Praise [23:12] God. [23:29] [Music] [24:00] Hallelujah. [24:02] [Music] [24:32] My god. [24:35] [Music] [24:41] [Music] [25:19] [Music] [25:55] [Music] [26:15] Heat. Heat. [26:24] [Music] [26:34] [Music] [27:06] [Music] [27:20] [Applause]