Winnie the Pooh, Rapunzel and the Three Little Pigs were decked out in their holiday finest Friday night as Storybook Island flipped the switch on its 15th year of Christmas lights.

The annual holiday tradition drew hundreds to the children’s park in its first night, a long line curling toward the parking lot all evening. 

“Every year, I tell you, it gets better and better. It’s just beautiful,” executive director Connie LeZotte said. “It’s a tradition of Rapid City. People look forward to spending an evening here with hot cocoa, and we get to make a little money to keep the park free in the summertime.”

Admission has increased to $2 this year to cover the growing expenses of the holiday event. But LeZotte is optimistic the $1 increase won’t deter families from enjoying the lights, the train rides and atmosphere. Storybook Island operates solely on community donations, and the holiday display is its single biggest fundraiser.

“I certainly hope it doesn’t turn anyone away,” she said. “The experience is worth $2.”

Last year, extremely cold weather kept many people at home, and the park was closed for four nights because of the cold, LeZotte said. Only 14,500 people attended during the monthlong run.

But Friday night, the lights turned on for the first time this season, and many families were out enjoying the crisp evening.

Icicle lights hung over the pirate ship’s bow like glittering moss, and Christopher Robin donned a warm Santa hat as he tacked Eeyore’s tail back on. Kids munched on cookies and sipped hot cocoa as they waited to board the train, its engine decked out in multicolored lights.

Carol and Barry Wiechmann of Rapid City bring their granddaughters, Bella, 6, and Calla, 4, every year when they come to visit from Sioux Falls.

They didn’t let the fact that the girls’ winter coats were stuck in their mom’s car in Sundance, Wyo., stop them, either, and wrapped the girls up in thick blankets, like burritos.

“They come from Sioux Falls, so we have to bring them,” Carol Wiechmann said. “It’s something to start the whole season out.”

Dad Devlon Vohlken agreed.

“It’s one of the last traditions that held out the test of time,” he said.

Contact Emilie Rusch at 394-8453 or emilie.rusch@rapidcityjournal.com.

If you go

What: Storybook Island Christmas Lights

When: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 28-29, Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-31, Jan. 1-2

Where: Storybook Island, 1301 Sheridan Lake Road, Rapid City

Admission: $2 per person

Special events: Santa will be in the park every night from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. through Dec. 23 and will be joined by his reindeer Dec. 18 and 19. 

Military personnel and their family will receive half-price admission Dec. 4-6. Half of the admission price will benefit the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive on Dec. 11-13.