It's still free right? I think the fact that it's free, allowing all Duluthians to go and enjoy it makes it worthwhile.

A single stationary bike only produces 50 watts of power.  Last year Bentlyville was reported to use 250,000 watts. It would take 5,000 bikes to power it.

Yes it costs money for the electricity, but I think many of the local leaders will tell you that Bentleyville brings thousands of people to downtown who otherwise would not have been downtown at that time of the year.  Those people then spend money at gas stations, restaurants and other stores and contribute to the tax base.  In the end, the additional money to the tax rolls might or even exceed (not an overreaching possibility) the cost to power all the lights.

It's always a delicate balance. I understand and actively sympathize a bit with the "it's a waste of electricity" argument, just as I do with "4th of July fireworks are a waste of money" argument.

Fundamentally Bentleyville is consuming a resource that is powered by coal, which causes pollution and is a finite resource, and eventually driving up the price of electricity for everyone.

However, it does bring a lot of people downtown, not just Duluthians either, it is a big boost for many small businesses. Add to that it brings a lot of joy to literally thousands, if not tens of thousands of people, for many kids it is even a bit (grrr) "magical." 

Myself, I don't care. I, personally love more intimate, non-stressful celebrations. I think they are more meaningful and honest. Yet, I can't outright condemn Bentleyville as it serves multiple purposes for many people, and so I kind of lump it in with the tourist issue. A hassle, but better than having a smelting plant next door.

I like Bentleyville, it just makes a dark and cold time of the year a little easier to endure. They could have more bonfires at Bentleyville, though, and fewer electric lights.

Instead of the highly impractical suggestion of hooking up an armada of bicycles to the lights (do you really want to sit there in the freezing cold in choppers trying to ride a stationary bike willingly?) why don't we encourage more practical solutions...  Purchase alternative energy from the power company and/or have a solar energy company donate solar panels and converters to help power the Christmas lights, and shorten the length of time Bentleyville is up and running.  It's a safe and family friendly event, it gives local groups an opportunity to volunteer their time, and it's good PR for the City of Duluth.

@Gary:  that's soshulism!

Why bikes?  Why not a big Conan-style Wheel of Pain?

It is a use of energy, probably a net waste.

All I have to add to this is they really need to change the name. "Bentleyville" does not sound like the holiday, family, fun, free, Duluth, happy-happy joy-joy, keywords, etc. event they want it to be. It's not in Bentley's yard (or so I assume it once was).

Good luck coming up with something that doesn't infringe on someone else's copyright, but as my husband said, it sounds like a 1930s hobo camp.

@Danny & @NateL
Also, wookiee is spelled with two 'E's but now we're just splitting hairs. Get it? splitting hairs? Wookiees are hairy?

Oh man.

But seriously, what doesn't waste money these days?

I think Bentleyville is important symbolism. Christmas is one of the most important holidays of the year, a religious event celebrating Christianity and the birth of Jesus Christ. The lights do a great job of invoking childhood memories for the old, providing a connection to home for those that are away, and creating new memories for the young. The lights are a reminder to everyone who visits that the light of God shines on all. I hope you all remember that when you drive by or visit.

I personally have family that come up from the Twin Cities suburbs and spend money at restaurants and hotels, and isn't that what Duluth is all about in Canal Park -- Tourism Money?

@JJ ... The Amsoil sign is no larger waste of money than every other large lit sign in Duluth. Probably more efficient in fact.

Homegrown is a waste of energy, but in a more "the devil will find work for idle hands" kind of way.

Jim, I love Christmas, but I keep God and Jesus out of it -- out of respect for my Jewish husband and Wiccan daughter. Otherwise... nice post.

I'm sorry to hear that Claire. I'll make sure to say an extra prayer for you and your daughter. And for Barrett and H1N1, if I could I'd tie a big red ribbon around that pile over at Midwest Energy and put a tag on it with your names. Shame, shame, shame...

er.. yeah... late December has very little to do with Christianity, other than being a convenient time of year to co-opt from earlier groups that already celebrated it, and transplant the birth-date of the Christian prophet. I mean even the most serious Christian scholars acknowledge this, many of them point to September as the likely time of year for Christ's birth.

There is actually some interesting reading surrounding just why early Christians appropriated that time of year, including using already existing Roman festivals as a cover for the Christian's celebration.

But, whatever, the middle/end of December marks the darkest time of the year, and it's a good time to celebrate the human values of family and friends and looking forward to the new year.

It's not a waste, it bring people in from out of town. I have family that live up there and we use Bentleyville as an event for all the family across Wisconsin to get together and enjoy something nice. 

There are ways to power the lights that would be more efficient than bikes, you live next to Superior which is very windy. If they put up a temporary (mini) windmill they would be able to cut the cost in half. 

There are a lot of people I know where I live that take the time to drive to see the lights. Not very many towns do something for the people for free. With out of towners, it brings money into Duluth's economy.